EYE SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-RELATED UVEITIS: CLINICAL COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Introduction: Uveitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that mainly affects women, presenting a high risk of ocular complications. Ocular surgery, often necessary for the treatment of complications such as cataract and glaucoma, can be challenging, especially in patients with this condition. Chronic inflammation can compromise healing and increase the incidence of adverse events. In addition, clinical management should consider the particularities of female patients, who may have more severe manifestations and a different response to treatment, requiring a careful approach during surgical intervention. Objective: To analyze the clinical complications of ocular surgery in patients with uveitis related to rheumatoid arthritis, emphasizing the perspective of affected women. Methodology: The research used the PRISMA checklist and covered articles published in the last 10 years, accessing the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases. The five descriptors used were Ocular inflammation, Immunosuppression, Corticosteroids, Anti-inflammatory drugs and Autoimmune disease. Studies that addressed ocular surgeries in contexts related to uveitis were considered. Results: The review identified that the most frequent complications included infections, hemorrhages and wound healing problems, with emphasis on the greater vulnerability of women to these outcomes. Studies revealed that the presence of active uveitis before surgery correlated with a significant increase in complications. In addition, patients often presented more complex postoperative management due to immunological factors. Conclusion: The analysis showed that ocular surgery in patients with uveitis related to rheumatoid arthritis requires a multidisciplinary and careful approach, especially in women. Recognizing the specificities of this population is crucial to minimize complications and optimize clinical results, highlighting the importance of rigorous pre- and postoperative monitoring.