Ocular disease as the presenting sign of rheumatoid arthritis – An observational case series

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory auto-immune multi-system disorder affecting the synovial joints. Ocular manifestations occur in a significant proportion of patients with RA. Although there are literature studies available indicating that ocular involvement can be the presenting sign in RA, reports available are sparse. Our case series is a report of seven patients presenting with ocular manifestations of RA. It highlights the fact that familiarity with the characteristic features of RA among ophthalmologists and physicians helps in making a timely diagnosis, assessing the disease activity, and understanding how a diagnosis of systemic disease made on ocular manifestations can alter the course of the disease in terms of reducing morbidity and prolonging life expectancy.