Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been associated with eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, uveitis, and dry eyes, among others. Several treatment options may help relieve symptoms.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune condition associated with the skin condition psoriasis.

PsA most commonly causes swelling, stiffness, and pain in your joints as well as scaly, itchy skin lesions.

However, in some cases, PsA may also affect your eyes. This may cause uncomfortable symptoms and lead to several complications, such as vision loss.

Keep reading to learn more about eye conditions that are associated with PsA and how they are treated.

Research suggests that up to 70% of people living with psoriasis experience eye-related symptoms, such as:

  • red eyes
  • itchy eyes
  • dry eyes
  • feeling of grit or sand in the eyes
  • difficulty focusing or blurry vision
  • pain or sensitivity, especially in reaction to bright light

In people with PsA, these symptoms may be caused by the condition’s inflammation, an eye condition, or other causes unrelated to PsA. For example, dry eyes and blurred vision are symptoms of Sjögren’s disease, which may affect people with PsA.

If you experience eye symptoms and PsA, it’s important to get an assessment from a healthcare professional like an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They could diagnose the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan.

When are PsA eye symptoms an emergency?

It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

  • sudden loss of vision
  • new or large floaters
  • flashing lights in your vision

These may be a sign of retinal detachment, which requires immediate treatment.

Typically, the surface of your eye is covered by a tear filmTrusted Source made up of watery, oily, and mucous layers. This helps lubricate and protect your eye.

However, if your eyes don’t produce enough tears or your tears evaporate too quickly, you may experience dry eyes.

Symptoms of dry eyes may includeTrusted Source:

  • redness
  • burning or stinging in the eyes
  • scratchy, sandy, or irritated feeling in the eyes
  • stringy mucus in the eyes
  • blurry vision
  • eye fatigue

In some cases, dry eye may develop without noticeable symptoms, which can occur in Sjögren’s disease.

Treatment for dry eyes will depend on several factors, such as the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms. This may includeTrusted Source:

If meibomian gland dysfunction is causing dry eyes, treatment will focus on unblocking your eyelid glands. This may include topical, oral, or eye drop medications like antibiotics or steroids. It may also include at-home remedies like warm compresses and regular eyelid hygiene.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, approximately 7% of people with PsA will develop uveitis.

Uveitis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the uvea of the eye. The uvea is the middle layer of your eye and includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Uveitis can affect all or some parts of your uvea.

For example, anterior uveitis is a type of uveitis that affects only the iris, also known as iritis. It occurs when white blood cells collect in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Symptoms of uveitis may include:

Speak with a healthcare professional if you notice any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications, such as:

Conjunctivitis is inflammation that occurs in the conjunctiva of the eye. It’s sometimes known as pink eye, especially when it results from an infection.

The conjunctiva is a thin layer of tissue that covers the whites of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. When it gets inflamed, the edges of the whites of your eyes become red and irritated.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that conjunctivitis is a common ocular complication of psoriasis and may occur for several reasons, including:

  • systemic inflammation
  • increased cytokine production
  • tear film and conjunctival surface instability
  • meibomian glands disruption

Symptoms of conjunctivitis may include:

Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause. If a doctor suspects you have conjunctivitis due to a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotic eye drops.

In other cases, they may recommend lubricating or steroid eye drops to reduce symptoms until the condition resolves on its own.

Ectropion occurs when the bottom eyelid turns outwards.

If you have skin psoriasis as well as PsA, scaly patches may develop on your face, around your eyes, and on your eyelids. This can potentially change the shape of your eyelids. In some cases, it can result in ectropion.

Symptoms of ectropion may include:

  • visible drooping of your lower eyelid
  • eye dryness
  • excessive tearing
  • itchy or gritty feeling in your eye
  • sensitivity to wind and bright light

Treatment for ectropion may involve surgery. A doctor will remove extra skin and reshape your eyelid back to normal.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you notice a change in your vision or how your eyes are feeling.

They can help you identify the cause of your eye symptoms, such as whether it’s related to PsA or another medical condition.

Leaving an eye condition untreated may put you at risk of complications, including vision loss in severe cases.

Can psoriatic arthritis affect the eyes?

Yes, psoriatic arthritis has been associated with several eye conditions, including dry eyes, uveitis, and conjunctivitis, among others.

What are the red flags of psoriatic arthritis?

The most common psoriatic arthritis (PsA) symptoms to look out for include swelling, stiffness, and pain that affect the joints in your knees, fingers, and toes. Other symptoms may include nail pitting and dactylitis, which is when your fingers resemble sausages.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis in the eyes?

Symptoms of psoriasis that affect your eyes may includeTrusted Source a burning, itching, or gritty sensation in your eyes. You may also experience inflammation, dry skin, and lesions on your eyelids and the areas surrounding your eyes.

What is the life expectancy of a person with psoriatic arthritis?

A 2023 studyTrusted Source that followed participants with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from 2000 to 2017 found that they decreased life expectancy by 6.41 and 6.48 years, respectively. The main contribution to a decreased life expectancy is considered to be related to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is related to chronic inflammation.

That said, PsA affects everyone differently. Speak with a healthcare professional about your outlook.

Although PsA is mainly associated with pain and inflammation of the joints, it may also increase your chance of developing certain eye conditions.

If you develop symptoms of inflammation or other problems in your eyes, contact a doctor or eye care professional. They can help develop a plan to relieve the symptoms and keep your eyes healthy.