Abstract

PURPOSE:

The main objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of ocular manifestations in rheumatic patients admitted in a specialized clinic.

METHODS:

Information regarding rheumatic and ocular diseases was extracted from medical records system available in "Dr. I. Cantacuzino" Clinical Hospital from Bucharest. The prevalence of ocular involvement reported passively by rheumatologists (retrospective descriptive study of 375 different cases of rheumatic patients) was compared with the literature data.

RESULTS:

There were 45 cases of ocular manifestations. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was noted in 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and one patient with scleroderma. Anterior uveitis was found in seven patients with ankylosing spondylitis, one patient with reactive arthritis, two patients with psoriatic arthritis and one patient with LES. Conjunctivitis was present in two patients with reactive arthritis. In LES ocular involvement also included four cases of retinal vasculitis. Complications clearly related to steroid therapy were nine cases of cataracts. One case with typical "bull's eye" maculopathy due to Hydroxychloroquine treatment was detected.

CONCLUSIONS:

The main conclusion of our study is that the rheumatic patients need to be referred to an ophthalmologist for the diagnosis and the optimal treatment of ocular involvement.