Auto-immune diseases are unfortunately common and more women than men will suffer from these diseases. There are many different auto-immune diseases, and some may look like each other.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is one auto-immune disease and often it can appear like Lupus. These two diseases can have symptoms like swollen, red joints, pain in the joints, low grade fevers and fatigue. A Rheumatologist can help determine which auto-immune disease a patient has and then a course of treatment can begin.

Rheumatoid Arthritis generally affects a person's joints and the surrounding tissue in the joints. This disease occurs when the body's immune system begins attacking the healthy tissue. As the disease progresses, damage is done to the joints and can cause them to become deformed.

Most often, the disease just affects the joints, but in some cases Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions can go hand and hand.

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Eye Conditions: What Can Happen

Often patients discover that Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions are related. People with Rheumatoid Arthritis may discover that they also have extreme dry eyes. This can not only be uncomfortable, but makes the eyes sensitive and the vision can become affected. Many physicians will prescribe eye drops to help alleviate this condition.

When looking at Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions, the blood vessels in the eyes can also become swollen due to vasculitic. This disorder affects the blood flow and can restrict the blood flow causing a variety of problems including leg sores or even problems within the sac that surrounds the heart and lungs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions can also occur due to medications taken to help with the disease. There are medications that have side effects that include nerve damage in the eyes and cataracts to grow on the eyes. This is why patients that take specific medications need to follow their doctor's instruction and have their eyes checked for any damage as a result of the medication.

Most of the Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions that do occur can be treated with eye drops or other types of medication. It is important to discuss with your physician any changes in physical symptoms even if they seem to be unconnected to Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is a direct link between Rheumatoid Arthritis and eye conditions, and a physician needs to be made aware of any problems that a patient may be experiencing in order to properly treat the patient.