Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, and they can involve many eye structures. Ocular inflammation may be the first sign of a systemic condition or part of an established diagnosis.
Possible Manifestations
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sarcoidosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease can cause dry eye, scleritis, uveitis, retinal vasculitis, or optic neuropathy. Symptoms range from redness and pain to blurred or distorted vision.
- Some presentations, such as scleritis or posterior uveitis, can threaten sight
- Eye involvement may flare alongside systemic disease activity
- Certain treatments, including biologic agents, may also have ocular effects
- Detailed history and investigations are often required to link eye and systemic findings
Management
Treatment usually combines local therapies, such as drops or injections, with systemic immunosuppression under joint care from ophthalmologists and rheumatologists or other specialists. Regular monitoring is crucial.
- Prompt recognition and treatment of ocular inflammation improve prognosis
- Patients should report new visual symptoms to their care team without delay
- Long‑term follow‑up balances disease control with medication side effects
- Supportive measures, including lubricants and lid care, often complement immunotherapy
