Pediatric rheumatic diseases typically cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints of children, but many conditions also affect other tissues and organs in the body, with the potential to cause long-term damage unless detected and treated in time The eyes are very commonly affected in pediatric rheumatic illnesses.
As a parent, it is very important to ensure regular eye check-ups by a specialist for your child, while being vigilant about the tell-tale signs and symptoms yourself. Parental care, combined with timely expert examination and treatment, can prevent the extensive eye damage and permanent loss of useful vision that can occur in rheumatic diseases.Q1) Why are the eyes involved in rheumatic illnesses?
The proteins from the joints are similar to those of the eyes, specifically the layer of the eye called ‘uvea’. This is called antigenic similarity, and it is for this reason that diseases of the joints can also affect the eyes. Patients with joint diseases may develop inflammation of the uvea, called ‘uveitis’. Symptoms of joint disease and uveitis may occur simultaneously, or one after the other.
Q2) My child doesn’t complain of eye problems, and the eyes aren’t even red. Is an eye check-up necessary?
Yes, for three reasons:
Q3) Can only one eye be affected?
It can happen that one eye gets affected before the other. In this case, if the inflammation is undetected, the child may continue to see well with the other eye and not notice any problem. This is another reason why thorough eye checks are important.
Q4) Will PREP Clinic refer my child to an eye doctor?
Yes. Because of the close connection between joints and eyes, PREP Clinic requires information on your child’s eye health; specifically, whether there is any evidence of inflammation in the eyes (past or present). For this, you will need to consult an eye doctor (preferably, a uveitis specialist).
Q5) My child’s eyes have been checked and pronounced normal. How often should they be checked now?
It depends on a few factors, like the age of your child and the diagnosis. Younger children, and those with a positive anti-nuclear antibody test, are more likely to have their eyes affected by the disease and may need frequent check-ups. As a rule, one check-up every six months is good practice, even if the eyes are normal and without inflammation, but the specific advice given by your eye doctor should be followed.
Q6) What can be done to treat affected eyes?
The specific treatment procedures will be known to your eye doctor or uveitis specialist but, as far as pediatric rheumatology is concerned, treatment of a patient that has developed uveitis requires cooperation and regular communication between the two doctors to ensure the inflammation of both the joints and the eyes is treated safely.