Autoimmune Diseases That Can Affect Your Vision

Autoimmune disease. You may have heard the term, but wonder what it means. Quite simply, it’s a condition where your body begins attacking itself internally, seeing its own cells as a threat, and weakening your immune system. The disease will begin to destroy your body’s own immune system, weakening it so that you are liable to develop infections — including vision problems.

Occasionally autoimmune disease-related vision problems occur quickly and can become alarming. At Cross River Eye Care we recognize the need for immediate relief from these symptoms. We are here to help you with all your optic needs when living with an autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases that can be a threat to your vision include:

• Arthritis: Although it’s associated with joint pain, arthritis can also affect your vision — with such symptoms as dry eyes, blurry vision, and pain and inflammation.
• Multiple Sclerosis: This condition can damage the optic nerve within the brain, causing temporary blindness or double or blurred vision. 
• Diabetes: When blood sugar levels become elevated, damage to the small blood vessels within the eyes can occur. Short-term blurry vision in diabetics can be a warning sign of insulin adjustments.
• Graves’ Disease: The thyroid produces antibodies that attack itself, emitting high hormone levels created by this gland. The eyeballs swell, becoming painful, causing headaches and double vision.
• Vasculitis: This condition causes the body to attack blood vessels that can affect any organ, including the eyes. 

Get your eyes checked regularly
It is important to know if your eye symptoms are caused by an autoimmune disease or some other factor. While some autoimmune diseases may present with no vision problems at all, taking preventative measures is always a good idea. At the office of Cross River Eye Care, we advise you have your eyes checked twice yearly so we can spot potential problems, take the necessary steps to correct them, and to ensure your vision is in good order. For more information on our services, give us a call today.