While ankylosing spondylitis (AS) typically affects the spine, some people may experience eye inflammation, or uveitis. This can cause pain, swelling, and vision changes.

AS is an inflammatory disease. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.

It mainly affects the spine, hips, and areas where ligaments and tendons connect to your bones.

While AS inflammation is common in the spine and large joints, it may also occur in other areas of the body, such as the eyes.

Keep reading to learn why uveitis happens with AS, how to identify it, your treatment options, and more.

More than 30% of people with AS experience symptoms affecting the eyes, including uveitis.

AS is a systemic condition, which means it may affect multiple areas of the body and cause widespread inflammation.

The HLA-B27 gene may also be a factor. This gene is common in people who have AS or uveitis.

Uveitis may be the first sign that you have a systemic condition such as AS. Uveitis may also occur independently of another inflammatory condition.

Symptoms of uveitis can include:

Anterior uveitis, also known as iritis, affects the front part of the eye. In people with AS, it usually only affects one eye rather than both.

Sometimes people with axial spondyloarthritis, of which AS is a type, may experience posterior uveitis. This is when uveitis may affect the back or other areas of your eye.

Uveitis may affect one eye, or it can develop in both eyes simultaneously. It may happen suddenly and become severe quickly, or it can develop slowly and worsen over several weeks or months.

An eye doctor can check for uveitis by taking a detailed review of your medical history and performing a dilated eye exam.

An eye exam typically includes the following:

  • an eye chart test
  • an eye muscle function test
  • a pupil response test
  • a visual field test
  • a tonometry eye pressure test
  • a slit lamp exam

If you have AS, it’s important to let your eye doctor know about your diagnosis.

The treatment plan for AS-related uveitis is twofold. The immediate goal is to decrease eye inflammation and its effects. It’s also important to treat AS overall.

The first treatment for uveitis your doctor recommends may be anti-inflammatory eye drops, or eye drops that contain a corticosteroid. If those don’t work, corticosteroid pills or injections may be necessary.

Your doctor may add an immunosuppressant medication to allow steroid tapering.

Severe uveitis may require a healthcare professional to perform a procedure to remove some of the gel-like substance in the eye, which is known as the vitreous.

Surgery to implant a device into the eye that releases corticosteroid medication over an extended period may be suitable if you have chronic uveitis that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

If you have AS, it’s important to treat the condition effectively to reduce the risk of developing complications such as uveitis.

AS remedies aim to reduce joint pain and inflammation and delay the fusion of joints, which can lead to weakness and limited mobility.

Treatments vary, but typical options include:

Without prompt and effective treatment, uveitis may lead to complications.

Possible complications of uveitis can include:

Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. If your symptoms worsen or recur, let your doctor know immediately.

The National Eye Institute recommends these general tips for keeping your eyes healthy:

  • Get an annual eye exam.
  • Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
  • If you’re sensitive to light, wear sunglasses indoors or keep the lights dim.
  • Look away from your computer, cellphone, or television for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes to help prevent eyestrain.
  • Wear protective eyewear if you work with hazardous materials or in a construction environment.
  • Wear protective eyewear while playing sports or doing housework.
  • Consider quitting smoking if you smoke as smoking accelerates nerve damage in the eye and other eye conditions.

Tips for people who wear contact lenses include the following:

  • Wash your hands frequently and before inserting contact lenses.
  • Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are inflamed.
  • Avoid rubbing or touching your hands to your eyes.
  • Disinfect your contact lenses regularly.

If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you may develop uveitis in one eye or both eyes. This inflammation can cause symptoms such as redness of the eye, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision.

A doctor can diagnose uveitis with an eye exam. They may then recommend corticosteroid eye drops or other treatments.

Treating AS directly may help reduce the risk of uveitis and other complications. Taking steps to protect your eyes, such as getting regular eye exams and wearing sunglasses, may also help.