The ocular manifestations of rheumatoid disease

The inflammatory arthropathies that affect the eye most commonly are RA, JRA, and the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. These conditions not only cause devastating systemic findings but can be the source of damaging ocular disease. The inflammatory nature of these entities, with the accompanying liberation of mediators of inflammation, can result in a cycle of tissue destruction that culminates in blindness. The diseases reviewed can present first with systemic or ocular findings; thus, all physicians must be equipped with the appropriate knowledge to make accurate and timely diagnoses so that appropriate management strategies can be employed. The successful recognition and treatment of these conditions can prevent their associated systemic and ocular morbidity.