A prospective hospital based study showing prevalence of eye manifestations in patients having systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease

Abstract

Aim: To outline several common ocular complications and their prevalence in patients with systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease.Material and Methods:The study included 135 patients having systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) who attended ophthalmology out patient department in Govt. Medical College Jammu. The patients underwent detailed ocular examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy. The tear function of all the patients was assessed using Schirmer’s test, tear film breakup time and ocular surface staining.Results: Fifty three (39%) patients out of the 135 patients had ocular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. Dry eye was the most common manifestation which was seen in about 28 patients (53%). The ocular manifestations were more common in females (78%).The manifestations were bilateral in 45 patients(85%).Ten patients (19%) had features of scleritis, three (6%) with episcleritis, 10 patients having anterior uveitis (19%) and other manifestations peripheral ulcerative  keratitis (PUK) ,retinal vasculitis, keratitis contributed 1% each or less. Conclusion: Ocular manifestations contribute significantly to the extra articular manifestations of the Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dry eye is the commonest complication. There was a female preponderance in the study and also the manifestations were more frequently found bilaterally.

Keywords: Ocular manifestations, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Episcleritis,Uveitis.