Q. I have spondyloarthritis and take methotrexate, but I have been having a few issues with my eyes recently. Is this a side effect of my treatment?

Guy Brain, from Arthritis Care Helpline, is here to help.

Arthritis Care has a fact sheet on spondyloarthritis and mentions that some people with this family of inflammatory arthritis may develop the eye condition uveitis. It’s a relatively rare condition, but if it does occur it’s important to seek medical help quickly.

Eye problems would need an emergency appointment with the GP so they can determine the appropriate course of action. In many cases the treatment involves steroid eye drops, and referral to an opthalmologist might be involved. For more information see www.nhs.uk/conditions/uveitis.

For more help or information on arthritis call the free helpline on 0808 800 4050 between Monday – Friday 9.30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or e-mail helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk.