Aa
blood and vascular
can rheumatoid vasculitis lead to retinopathy?
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Hello and thanks so much for your response. I am currently seeing an opthalmologist who has diagnosed the retinal damage. She feels it happened because of an interruption to the blood supply to the retina. I'm not hypertensive at all, and I'm not diabetic, nor do I have cholesterol problems. The retinopathy has happened very suddenly. I did take hydroxychloroquine for rheumatoid arthritis, but stopped it at six weeks due to the developing blurry vision. My opthalmologist and rheumatologist have both assured me that the damage is highly unlikely to be related to the drug after such a short time.
So I'm baffled. I do have Raynauds,and vascular headaches - migraines and cluster headaches. I also have facial neuralgia - glossopharyngial, and I have unexplained bruising. My GP did a platelet count , as I do have a mild thrombocytopenia sometimes, but he said that the platelet count is borderline abnormal, and not low enough to justify the bruising. He speculated therefore that it may be a vascular related problem. This is why I asked about the RA and retinopathy link. I'm awaiting some more blood test results from the opthalmology clinic.
Many thanks again
So I'm baffled. I do have Raynauds,and vascular headaches - migraines and cluster headaches. I also have facial neuralgia - glossopharyngial, and I have unexplained bruising. My GP did a platelet count , as I do have a mild thrombocytopenia sometimes, but he said that the platelet count is borderline abnormal, and not low enough to justify the bruising. He speculated therefore that it may be a vascular related problem. This is why I asked about the RA and retinopathy link. I'm awaiting some more blood test results from the opthalmology clinic.
Many thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Vasculitis is a serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease. All of the autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s can be associated with optic nerve inflammation (optic neuritis), vasculitis in the eye, uveitis, and retinopathy.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
Vasculitis is a serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease. All of the autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s can be associated with optic nerve inflammation (optic neuritis), vasculitis in the eye, uveitis, and retinopathy.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
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Unexplained bruising can be due to Anemia and deficiency of vitamins C, K, B12, or folic acid, SLE, bone marrow disorders, liver diseases or leukemias apart from vascular problems. Anti-clotting (anti-coagulants) medication also can cause increased bruising.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.