Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is a throw in of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects the spine.
Of those affected by AS, around one-third also haveuveitis(inflammation inside the eye).
The uvea contains many blood vessels and is made up of theiris, theciliary body, and the choroid.
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Uveitis is a condition that comes up whenever the uvea is inflamed.
There are four types of uveitis that affect different parts of the uvea.
They are:
Anterior uveitis is the most common punch in of eye inflammation that occurs with ankylosing spondylitis.
The body’s immune system attacks healthy tissuesincluding the uveabecause it mistakenly believes it is harmful.
Uveitis is a common clinical sign of many types of inflammatory disease.
Symptoms of Uveitis
Uveitis can affect one or both eyes.
Symptoms include:
Complications from uveitis can also occur, especially if left untreated.
Treatment includes medications that reduce inflammation throughout the body and steroid drops or injections to the affected eye.
Being proactive can prevent serious side effects down the road, including blindness.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can.
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the eyes.
This can lead to a condition called uveitis, which often causes blurred vision.
Pain from this condition usually improves with movement and gets worse with rest.
Symptoms typically begin in people before the age of 40.
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause uveitis, or inflammation in the middle layer of the eye.
Symptoms include redness, pain, blurred vision, floaters, and sensitivity to light.
Dryness is not typically a symptom of this throw in of uveitis.
American College of Rheumatology.Ankylosing spondylitis & uveitis: an ophthalmologist’s perspective.
2019;49(1):10-14. doi:10.4274/tjo.galenos.2018.53896
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is uveitis?
