TITLE:
Low Vision Assessment: Complications from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
AUTHORS:
Kingsley Ekemiri, Ngozika Esther Ezinne, Cilena Ramdhani, Daniel Chinonyerem Achugwo, Chioma Chinyere Ekemiri
KEYWORDS:
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Low Vision Assessment, Cataract, Aphakia, Stand Magnifier
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.10 No.2,
May
22,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is an
inflammatory disease that affects the joints of children and is associated with
ocular complications, like uveitis and cataract. Patients with such
complications can benefit from a low vision
assessment to improve their functionality and their quality of life. In
this case study, the importance of early detection and management of ocular complications of JRA, as well as visual
rehabilitation through a low vision assessment, are highlighted and
discussed. Case Presentation: A 12-year-old female of East Indian
descent presented to the Low Vision Center of the University of the West
Indies Optometry Eye Unit, bilaterally aphakic (absence of crystalline lens) as a result of complications she
developed secondary to a systemic condition diagnosed as JRA. She
presented with a distance visual acuity of 2.30 logMAR in the RE, and 1.64
logMAR in the LE, at near she was able to read 8.0 M and
3.2 M at a distance of 8 cm for RE & LE respectively. She has a history of ocular disorder secondary to JRA such as cataract, uveitis,
upon low vision assessment a new spectacle prescription and an illuminated
stand magnifier of 8D was issued, the patient was satisfied with the outcome of
the treatment, management and low vision device issued. Conclusion: At the end of the low vision assessment, the patient was extremely satisfied and looked
forward to the prospect of returning to school. Although JRA can have severe
ocular complications, with the correct management, a patient’s quality of life
can be dramatically improved thus stressing the importance of these types of
visual assessments.