Eye Arthritis: Telltale Symptoms

You may have heard about gouty arthritis or joint arthritis, but did you know that you can also get eye arthritis? Arthritis of the eye, also known as uveitis, has no single known cause. Some researchers propose that poor diets and lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking contribute to uveitis, while other uveitis cases come about as a result of other medical conditions, such as herpes, syphilis, turberculosis, and some eye injuries. In fact, some forms of arthritis lead to uveitis, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Eye arthritis is also associated with immune system problems, some rashes, and even parasites. Although it can seem unimaginable to have arthritis of the eyes, it can be understood in the context of the eye as a joint. Like the joints of the human body, the eye is a self-contained organ filled with fluid, and half-enclosed within bone. These spaces of connective tissue can be entered by various compounds or molecules that cause arthritis.

Eye arthritis is called uveitis because it involves an infection of the eyes’ uvea, or the three parts of the eye that are filled with pigments. These include the choroids, ciliary body, and the iris. The choroid stands between the retinal layer and the sclera, or the white part of an eye. The choroid is supported by blood, and likewise gives the eye its blood supply. The ciliary body sits behind the colored iris, and, joined to the lens, produces a fluid to the eye, and allows the eyes’ lenses to focus. Lastly, the iris controls the ability of the eye to adapt to different degrees of brightness by shutting or widening the pupils.

These three are tissue elements that are joined throughout the eye, and are collectively referred to as the uveal tract. There are actually different types of uveitis, since any inflammation of the uvea is also referred to by that name. Anterior uveitis, or inflammation of the ciliary body and iris, can be more painful than choroiditis, or an inflammation of the choroids. It is specifically this choroiditis, or posterior uveitis, that is referred to as eye arthritis.

Eye arthritis has several telltale symptoms. These include blurred vision, eyes that become red or bloodshot quickly, light sensitivity or photophobia, seeing floating spots in front of the eyes, or general aches and pains surrounding the eyes. Eye arthritis can be tricky to diagnose because the symptoms are not generally manifested during its early stages. However, if a patient already has arthritis to begin with, doctors also monitor the patient’s eyes. In particular, children suffering from arthritis have to be taken to eye checkups at least three times a year...