Autoimmune Eye Diseases

Autoimmune eye condition symptoms

Different autoimmune diseases can affect the eyes in different ways. Unfortunately, the symptoms can easily be mistaken for other conditions, and people sometimes get misdiagnosed. This is why it’s important to have any changes in your eyes seen by an experienced specialist. 
 
Here are some common eye symptoms that may be caused by autoimmune diseases ‑ though not everyone will experience all of them. Be aware that this autoimmune eye disease list of symptoms isn't comprehensive, and some people get other symptoms too.

Red eyes

Some immune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause keratoconjunctivitis, making eyes and eyelids red or bloodshot. (See keratoconjunctivitis diagram below for more information.)
Learn more about red eye

Eye swelling

During an immune disorder flare‑up, conditions like Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can make your eyes and eyelids swell.

Dry eyes

Conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, coeliac disease, Guillain‑Barré syndrome, Graves’ disease and psoriasis can affect your tears, making your eyes feel very dry. 
Learn more about dry eye syndrome

Eye pain

Immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis can cause uveitis, which leads to a painful eye that’s sensitive to light. Multiple sclerosis can also cause a painful ache in the eye when you look around. 
Learn more about eye pain

Changes in vision

Conditions like diabetes, Graves’ disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus and Behçet’s disease can cause blurry or double vision, floaters, flashes or even sight loss. 
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy

Other symptoms

Eye problems can be the first sign of an immune disorder, like early eye inflammation in multiple sclerosis. Many people also get tiredness, joint pain, skin rashes, fevers and more.

Which autoimmune conditions can affect the eyes?

Many autoimmune diseases can cause eye problems. The following autoimmune eye disease list covers some of the common issues we see at our stores in New Zealand, but there are other disorders that can also affect your eyes.

Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the glands which keep your eyes moist and lubricated (it can also affect glands in your mouth and other parts of your body). It can make your eyes feel very dry. 
Learn more about dry eye syndrome

Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease is when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones. For some people, it causes inflammation of muscles and tissues around the eyes which can result in bulging, puffy eyes.
Learn more about puffy eye

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve in the eye) is a common symptom of MS. Other eye symptoms associated with MS include nystagmus and double vision. 
Learn more about double vision

Reiter’s syndrome

Reiter’s syndrome (also known as reactive arthritis) is a kind of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints, eyes and urethra. It causes eye inflammation and can lead to conjunctivitis and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye). 
Learn more about conjunctivitis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Many people think of rheumatoid arthritis as something that affects the joints, but it can also affect the eyes. It can cause dry eyes and inflammation of the whites of your eyes.

Behçet's disease

Bechet's disease is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout your body ‑ including in the eyes. Many people with Bechet’s disease have autoimmune eye inflammation symptoms such as uveitis and retinal vasculitis (inflammation of the retinal blood vessels). 

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that makes small patches of red and swollen tissue called granulomas develop in the organs of the body. It usually affects the lungs, skin and eyes.

Autoimmune eye disease treatment

If you have autoimmune disease eye symptoms, your GP or specialist will put together a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 
 
Some treatments will involve medical interventions, while others may focus on self‑care and home remedies to manage flare‑ups. Below are some of the most common treatment options for autoimmune‑related eye conditions.

Medical autoimmune eye disease treatments

Here are some of the common medical treatments that are used to treat autoimmune eye problems. It's important to be aware that different immune disorders may have very specialised treatments, so this isn't a complete list.

Anti‑inflammatories or corticosteroids

These medications reduce your immune system's inflammatory response. This can really help with calming down autoimmune eye inflammation. They can make flare‑ups less uncomfortable.

Ways you can help yourself if an autoimmune disease is impacting your eye health or vision...

Very often, simple home remedies and self‑care can help with managing flare‑ups of autoimmune disorders.

Sunglasses

If your eyes feel especially sensitive to light when you have a flare‑up, wearing sunglasses can help, particularly when spending time outdoors.

Artificial tears

Lubricating eye drops can ease dryness, discomfort and scratchiness during an autoimmune flare‑up.

Humidifiers

Again, if you have dry eyes, it can be helpful to use a humidifier. These devices release moisture into the air in your home. That means tears don't evaporate as quickly from your eyes.

Lifestyle choices

Good sleep, stress management, less alcohol and not smoking can help reduce flare‑ups and discomfort.

Regular eye appointments

By getting your eyes checked regularly by an optometrist, they'll be able to spot any changes in your eyes and give you advice on how to relieve many kinds of discomfort.