How Ankylosing Spondylitis Affects Your Eye Health


Because ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, it can cause widespread inflammation in different parts of your body, including your eyes. In fact, 40 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis also experience inflammation in the eye — a condition known as uveitis. Here, we discuss how you can identify and treat uveitis.

How to tell if you have uveitis
If you have ankylosing spondylitis, be aware of the signs and symptoms of uveitis. It usually affects one eye at a time, but it can also affect both eyes. Uveitis can sometimes develop suddenly and progress quickly. Signs and symptoms may include redness, pain, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and visual disturbances like dark spots.

Take the first step in managing uveitis
If left untreated, uveitis can cause irreversible damage and vision loss. If you think you have uveitis, it is important to see your ophthalmologist immediately. The Mayo Clinic recommends bringing a list of questions with you to your eye exam so that you get the most out of your visit. Some questions include, what treatments are available, and which do you recommend?

How is uveitis diagnosed?
A complete eye exam for uveitis may include a vision test, blood test, an examination of vitreous eye fluids, and eye-imaging tests. Your eye doctor will also gather a thorough medical history, so be sure to discuss any health problems and share your ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis.

Anti-inflammatory medications to treat uveitis
The first line of treatment for uveitis is usually an anti-inflammatory eye drop, called a corticosteroid, that reduces swelling and pain. If eye drops are not effective, corticosteroids can be administered in the form of a pill or as an injection around your eye. Your doctor may also recommend eye drops that dilate your pupil, which can help to reduce pain and swelling.

Biologic medications to treat uveitis
A more recent development in uveitis treatment is the use of biologics — drugs made from human genes — to treat uveitis. Tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) blockers are types of biologic medications that are designed to suppress the molecules that cause inflammation in the eye. TNF-α blockers are available in the form of eye injections.

Surgical procedures that treat uveitis: Part 1
There are two surgical options for people with ankylosing spondylitis who have uveitis. The first is a procedure called vitrectomy that removes some of the vitreous humor — a clear, gel-like substance — from the eye cavity. Once the vitreous humor is removed, the surgeon has access to the retina and can perform additional repairs that may be necessary, such as removing scar tissue.

Surgical procedures that treat uveitis: Part 2
Another surgical procedure designed to treat uveitis involves a surgeon implanting a small, time-release capsule in your eye that slowly dispenses corticosteroid medication over the course of a predetermined time frame. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning you usually don’t have to be hospitalized and can go home the same day.

What happens if uveitis is left untreated?
If uveitis is left untreated, many complications can ensue, including glaucoma, a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve; cataract, a clouding of the eye’s lens; optic nerve damage caused by inflammation; retinal detachment, a medical emergency that occurs when the back of the eye pulls away from blood vessels that provide it with oxygen and nutrients; or vision loss.

Lifestyle changes can protect your eyes
Eye health is even more important for people suffering from uveitis. The National Eye Institute recommends simple tips for keeping your eyes healthy. If you have uveitis, contact your eye doctor right away if you experience any signs or symptoms, but also be diligent about scheduling an annual eye examination.

Advances in uveitis research
Research is constantly in progress to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of uveitis. In fact, the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation's explicit mission is to “find cures for ocular inflammatory diseases” and “provide education and emotional support for those patients afflicted with ocular inflammatory disease.”