An autoimmune disorder tends to wreak havoc on your immune system, weakening it and leaving your body susceptible to infections. They affect the joints, muscles and nerves, including ones that control eyesight. But with so many of them identified by the medical community, it can be hard to catalog all the possible impacts on your eyes. As such, you need to undergo a medical eye exam to determine the risks that your specific disorder poses to your vision.
Below are some of the known autoimmune disorders that can affect eyesight and vision:
Multiple Sclerosis
This progressive autoimmune disease damages the brain and spinal cord. Visual impairment due to optic neuritis is among the first noticeable signs of this condition for most people. It is an ocular disease that involves a sudden or gradual loss of vision due to the inflammation of the optic nerve.
Diabetes
Statistics show that retinopathy diagnosis occurs in nearly all patients with Type 1 diabetes and more than half of patients with Type 2 diabetes. The former, in particular, is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Chronic poor blood sugar control can damage the small blood vessels in the back part of the eyes, resulting in the deterioration of one’s eyesight. Scheduling regular visits to an optometrist is a must when managing and treating diabetes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints. This autoimmune disorder, however, is also known to target one’s vision. It can cause dryness to both eyes. Inflammation in the white part of the eye (scleritis) or the middle layer of tissue in the eyewall (uveitis) can also occur in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Early detection of ocular diseases helps keep them at bay, letting you enjoy clear vision. At Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry, our top-notch eye doctors can help you manage various eyesight-related conditions, which may or may not be associated with autoimmune or other known disorders. Count on us if you need prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses as well.
We serve residents of Arlington, VA, and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at (703) 413-1400 (Crystal City) or (703) 522-7676 (Clarendon) to get started. You may also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
