Living with Juvenile Arthritis

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You/your child will be asked about any problems with vision or any other symptoms related to their eyes. Your child’s eyes will be checked with a slit lamp which is a special piece of equipment that allows the ophthalmologist to look for any inflamed cells within the eye which could indicate uveitis. Your child may be asked to read a chart with letters/pictures/shapes from a set distance. The exact method depends on your child’s age and how co-operative they are.

7. Managing flares A flare is a severe episode of inflammation. It occurs when you have painful or swollen joints that won’t settle down, or your pain is increased. You may find it very hard to move, especially when you wake up. You may also feel generally unwell and very fatigued. Flareups can last a couple of days but they can also stretch to a month or so. JIA is a fluctuating condition, and whilst the healthcare professionals aim for control, there may be times when the conditions and symptoms are more active. This is called a flare. A minor flare could be anything from a slightly swollen finger, not impacting daily routine,


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