When rheumatoid arthritis is mentioned, should only dryness come to mind?

Gurlevik, Ugur; Karakoyun, Ahmet; Yasar, Erdogan

OBJECTIVE To evaluate corneal parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by corneal topography. METHODS One hundred two RA patients and 60 control subjects were enrolled. Corneal topography measurements and ophthalmologic findings were examined from all participants' files. RESULTS Corneal thickness measurements were significantly lower in the RA group (p = 0.025). All values of corneal curvatures (K1, K2, Kmean) in 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm zones were found statistically significantly higher in the RA group compared with the control group. Forty-five RA patients had a dry eye. Disease duration was correlated with dry eye in the RA group. There was a significant correlation between the duration of disease in RA patients and mean corneal curvatures (p 0.012/0.010/0.007, 3/5/7 mm respectively) and central corneal thickness (p 0.025). There is no statistical difference between other topographic measurements. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that RA patients have thinner and steeper corneas compared with control subjects. These parameters change in negative correlation as the duration of the disease increases.Key Points• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with systemic involvement.• In rheumatoid arthritis, systemic involvement is affected in the eyes.• When it comes to eye involvement, it comes to mind that it makes the eyes more dryness.• In addition to dryness in the eyes, rheumatoid arthritis makes morphological changes in the cornea.