Jeanine from Sylvan Lake asks: Are cataracts associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis can have a number of manifestations within the eyes, including scleritis, sicca symptoms (dryness), or even vasculitis. While not as common, cataracts can occur, although this may be more due to steroid use (e.g. prednisone) than the arthritis itself. Cataracts itself is also relatively common in the general population: those aged between 40-50 have a 5% rate of developing cataracts, so it is possible to coincidently have both. The most important thing to do from an arthritis point of view is to ensure your arthritis is under good control. If you have no inflammation, the chance the arthritis is affecting your eyes is low.
Posted: January 4, 2023
Tagged: arthritis, prednisone, rheumatoid, rheumatoid arthritis, steroids