Psoriasis Patients Face Higher Odds of Cataract, Uveitis, and Dry Eye Disease: Meta-Analysis Reveals
Taiwan: Psoriasis is tied to a significantly higher likelihood of several eye problems, a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of observational studies published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology has revealed.
The pooled data highlighted that individuals with psoriasis face greater risks of cataract, uveitis, glaucoma, and retinal vein occlusion, along with markedly higher odds of dry eye disease, conjunctivitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis. These findings emphasize the importance of timely eye evaluations in people with psoriasis to prevent potentially irreversible vision loss.
Ching-Ya Wang from the Department of Dermatology at Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, led the review and meta-analysis in collaboration with international colleagues. The team noted that eye involvement in psoriasis is often under-recognized despite its potential to cause serious complications if left untreated.
For this analysis, the researchers systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from database inception through August 15, 2025. Only observational studies that provided risk estimates for ocular diseases in individuals with and without psoriasis were included. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and data were pooled using a random-effects model.
A total of 34 studies encompassing more than 10 million participants were included. It led to the following findings:
- Psoriasis was associated with a higher risk of cataract, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.78.
- Individuals with psoriasis had an increased likelihood of uveitis, reflected by an HR of 1.65 and an odds ratio (OR) of 2.56.
- The risk of glaucoma was elevated among people with psoriasis, with an HR of 1.40.
- Patients with psoriasis showed a greater risk of retinal vein occlusion, with an HR of 1.58.
- The odds of developing dry eye disease were significantly higher in those with psoriasis, with an OR of 5.01.
- Psoriasis was linked to higher odds of conjunctivitis, with an OR of 3.76.
- The odds of meibomian gland dysfunction were increased in individuals with psoriasis, with an OR of 4.45.
- The odds of blepharitis were elevated in those with psoriasis, with an OR of 2.28.
- These associations were consistent across both cohort and case-control studies.
The authors emphasized that certain eye disorders linked to psoriasis—such as uveitis and retinal vein occlusion—require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision-threatening outcomes. They recommend that dermatologists and primary care physicians maintain a low threshold for referring patients with psoriasis for ophthalmic evaluation, particularly when ocular symptoms such as redness, irritation, or blurred vision arise.
By integrating data from a broad range of observational studies, this review and meta-analysis provide robust evidence of the connection between psoriasis and a range of ocular comorbidities. The investigators conclude that collaborative care between dermatologists and eye specialists is essential for early detection and management, helping to safeguard long-term visual health in this patient population.
Reference:
Wang CY, Lin TY, Yu Wang T, Chi CC. Ocular comorbidities of psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025 Sep 18:S0002-9394(25)00494-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2025.09.020. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40975155.
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