Background: Rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and ankylosing spondylitis [AS] are chronic inflammatory diseases associated with progressive joint destruction, functional disability, reduced health-related quality of life, systemic complications, premature mortality, and a high economic burden.
Aim of the work: The aim of this study is to evaluate the corneal endothelial changes that occur in ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 90 patients [thirty with RA, thirty with SLE, thirty with AS] and thirty healthy control patients. The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of the rheumatology and rehabilitation department of Al-Azhar University hospitals. All patients were subjected to personal history, general and local examination, and laboratory tests to confirm diagnosis. They were then examined by specular microscope [Nidek CEM-530] to evaluate corneal cell morphology.
Results: In RA patients, significant differences were found between RA and control groups regarding central corneal thickness and cell variation [CV]. No significant difference was found regarding cell density and hexagonality [HEX]. In SLE patients, significant differences were found between the SLE and control groups regarding central corneal thickness and cell density. No significant difference was found between the SLE and control groups regarding cell variation [CV] and hexagonality [HEX]. In AS patients, significant differences were found between them and control group regarding central corneal thickness, cell density, cell variation [CV], and hexagonality [HEX].
Conclusion:  Rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and ankylosing spondylitis [AS] have a slight effect on cell density [CD], central corneal thickness [CCT], cell size, and cell shape permanently.