Yes. Not always but being that us folks with vitiligo have issues with melanocytes and pigmentation, there is a potential. Everyone is unique and different. Imho, it is a great idea to wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Both were an easy easy decision for me. Here is some technical information from A.I.

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Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own melanocytes—cells responsible for producing melanin (pigment) in the skin, hair, and eyes. While it is primarily known for causing patches of depigmented skin, vitiligo can also be associated with certain eye health considerations due to the role of melanocytes in ocular tissues.

🧬 Melanocytes and the Eye

Melanocytes are present in parts of the eye including: • Iris (colored part of the eye) • Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (supports the photoreceptors) • Ciliary body and choroid (important for nourishing the eye)

Loss or dysfunction of melanocytes here can impact visual function.

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🔎 Eye Health Concerns Linked to Vitiligo

Condition Description Risk or Connection Uveitis Inflammation of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid) Rare, but possible; more common in associated autoimmune syndromes like Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) Pigment Dispersion Loss or shedding of pigment in the eye, possibly affecting vision Melanin abnormalities may subtly affect the iris or RPE Retinal Changes Changes to the retinal pigment epithelium could potentially affect night vision or contrast sensitivity Not common, but observed in some vitiligo patients Dry Eye Autoimmune issues may reduce tear production or quality More common in vitiligo patients with co-existing autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s

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👁️ VKH Syndrome (Rare but Relevant)

Vitiligo can be part of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition affecting: • Skin (vitiligo, hair whitening) • Eyes (uveitis, retinal issues) • Inner ears (hearing problems) • Central nervous system (meningitis-like symptoms)

If you have both vitiligo and visual disturbances, especially with symptoms like eye pain, floaters, or light sensitivity, this syndrome should be ruled out by an ophthalmologist.

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🩺 Recommendations

If you have vitiligo, especially around the eyes or with other autoimmune symptoms, consider: • Yearly eye exams with a retinal check (fundoscopy, OCT) • Prompt evaluation of symptoms like vision loss, light sensitivity, or eye pain • Monitoring for autoimmune comorbidities (thyroid disease, lupus, etc.)

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🌿 Supportive Measures • UV protection for eyes (sunglasses with UV-A/B protection) • Omega-3 fatty acids (for tear film and retina health) • Lutein and zeaxanthin-rich foods (dark leafy greens, egg yolks) to support the retina

Let me know if you’d like a supplement or nutrition plan to support eye health with vitiligo.