Corneal transparency is a result of its unique ultrastructure with collagen fibrils regularity, integrity of connective tissue, and balanced keratocyte components. Corneal densitometry is known to be altered in cases corneal haze or scar, but recently it is assumed to be altered earlies in presence of a systemic inflammatory disease, even before clinical manifestations take place.

The aim of this study is to assess changes in corneal topography and corneal densitometry in RA patients with clinically clear corneas and to compare these results with those of healthy control subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

Exclusion Criteria:

• corneal opacity; severe dry eye; glaucoma; any inflammatory ocular disorder or infection including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, meibomitis and dacryocystitis; central or peripheral thinning evident in slit-lamp examination; history of ocular surgery, trauma, or contact lens use; and patients using any topical medication other than artificial tears will be excluded from the study.

All patients have RA presented for ophthalmic clinic during the period of the study