I cant get over how bad this disease impacts my eyes, i have tried many over the counter drops for the dryness however i find my eyes are so swollen they are almost impossible to open upon waking. I basically walk carefully to get a warm cloth and sit for what seems forever to get them to open which is excruiating.

You need to get to an opthlamogist. You may have uvelitis. Sorry not trying to diagnose you, I was just reading an article about RA & the eyes. And what you have listed was in the article as symptoms of uvelitis.

Wait time in Ontario is several months the first time. However, once you see the opthalmologist you get repeat visits as often as deemed necessary by the dr, or if you experience any new symptoms. I have had dry eyes since lens implants for cataracts, but just recently, got really bad- drops not working as well. I switched to preserative-free hyaloranic acid drops a few yrs back, and that helped till now. My eye Dr said the increase in dryness is from my arthritis. I had no idea until I read literature on this site !

Yes. I am also taking plaquenil 200mg twice daily. I know you are supposed to have your eyes checked frequently while taking this drug as well.

Yes, by late afternoon my eyes are scratchy and dry so I have to remove my contacts. I’m taking Plaquinal 200mg twice a daily for RA and Promacta for ITP.