Autoimmune Diseases and Ophthalmology

Autoimmune diseases frequently involve the eye and may produce manifestations ranging from mild dry eye symptoms to severe inflammatory and vascular disorders that threaten vision. In some cases, ocular findings represent the first indication of an underlying systemic disease. Common ophthalmic manifestations include dry eye disease in Sjögren’s syndrome, uveitis associated with spondyloarthropathies, scleritis linked to rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases, retinal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus, and vision- threatening complications of systemic vasculitis. Early recognition of these ocular signs is essential, as timely diagnosis and interdisciplinary management can prevent irreversible visual loss while facilitating the detection and treatment of the underlying autoimmune condition. Keywords: autoimmune diseases, ophthalmology, dry eye disease, uveitis, scleritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis.