Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes dry eye. Treatment for dry eye consists of lubricating drops (often in various combinations), punctal plugging and the use of cycloimmune drops. All treatment must be under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Dry eye is often associated with allergies; hence concomitant anti-allergics are also prescribed to such patients. Prevention consists of regular visits to the ophthalmologist and if infections develop, they must be treated on an urgent basis (as ulcers/ corneal melts are known to develop in RA patients).