Did you know that you can get uveitis of the eye? While joints such as knees and hips are much better known for having arthritis, the disease can also affect your eye. Those with arthritis of the eye, or uveitis, often contract the disease as a toddler or adolescent, although it’s possible to develop uveitis of the eye later in life. Uveitis can be confused with other conditions, so it’s important to see your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis.
How Serious is It?
If left untreated or unnoticed for a long time, uveitis of the eye can lead to blindness. Early symptoms include blurry vision, discharge, a redness or swelling of the eye and/or pain. Some of these symptoms are minor and can be remedied with proper care and caution. It’s also important to note that these symptoms are not always signs of uveitis.
Prevention of Uveitis of the Eye
The causes of uveitis of the eye are not completely known. Physicians theorize that it may involve smoking, lack of exercise, or improper diet. Vitamin A is especially important for good eye health.
Vitamins
You can find Vitamin A in foods rich with beta carotene such as carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes and other orange foods. Beta carotene is a caratenoid that your body transforms into Vitamin A, while cod and other fish oils also contain antioxidants that contain Vitamin A as well.
Vitamin supplements are also a good addition to the diet; they are an excellent source of vital nutrients for your body if you cannot access the foods readily which contain them. Some claim that synthetic vitamins do not contain co-factors, which are present in natural vitamins. Although synthetic vitamins are less expensive, some assert that the supplemental vitamins you can buy at grocers such as Vitamin Cottage and Sunflower markets contain these co-factors and are worth the added expense.
Eye Joints
Uveitis of the eye is an inflammatory disease of the joints, and your eyes have joints also. There are three connective tissues forming the uvea “joint” of your eye: the iris, the choroid and the ciliary body. Together, they make up the part of your eye that has two main purposes: to give your eyes nutrients, and to let light in.
Exercise Your Eyes
Alternative healing methods can be a help for uveitis of the eye. William H. Bates, a well known ophthalmologist, claimed that exercises with the eye reduce stress and therefore strengthen the joints in our eyes. Daily practice of yoga can relax your mind, affecting other areas of your body. It is said that the mind has direct correlation with the eyes and practicing yoga for 15-20 minutes a day can promote good eye health.
