The Importance Of Regular Eye Exams If You Suffer From Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome may not be a well known medical condition, but for the people who suffer from this autoimmune disorder, living with Sjogren's can be difficult at the best of times. The disease's ability to attack many different parts of the body at once means sufferers need to keep constant tabs on their health, and the eyes can be one of the most badly affected areas of the body. 

What is Sjogren's syndrome, and how can it affect my eyes?

Like all autoimmune disorders, Sjogren's syndrome causes a person's immune system and natural defences to attack healthy parts of their own body. Sjogren's syndrome is unique in that it causes the immune system to attack and damage the glands in your body that produce moisture. Sjogren's can vary widely in severity from person to person, but the most commonly damaged glands are the salivary glands in your mouth and the tears ducts in your eyes.

Tears aren't just something you produce when you cry or when you chop an onion—small amounts of tear fluid are constantly released onto the surface of your eyes, keeping them moist and lubricated and helping to protect against bacteria. If you suffer from Sjogren's syndrome, your tear ducts cannot much produce enough of this moisture to keep your eyes moist, resulting in dry, irritated and often painful eyes.

Having constantly dry eyes isn't just annoying—it also leaves you more vulnerable to eye infections such as conjunctivitis and makes it more difficult to remove eyelashes and other solid objects that can get caught in your eyes. Over time, the constant dryness can lead to more serious problems, such as eye ulcers and thickening of the corneas, which can end up permanently damaging your eyesight without treatment.

Why should Sjogren's syndrome sufferers have frequent eye exams?

if you suffer from Sjogren's syndrome, seeing an optometrist on a regular basis is essential for keeping your eyes healthy and your vision intact. Frequent eye exams will help your optometrist stay on top of any eye complications that may develop as a result of your Sjogren's, and having your vision tested at regular intervals gives your optometrist the best chance of spotting early signs of permanent vision loss.

If your optometrist examines your eyes and discovers signs of damage caused by Sjogren's, they can also help you take steps to prevent further damage. Most people who suffer from Sjogren's use artificial tear liquid to keep their eyes moist throughout the day, but if you suffer more serious problems, your optometrist can provide you with lubricating eye ointments and steroidal eye drops to reduce painful irritation. Immunosuppressant eye drops can also be helpful during periods when your eyes are particularly dry and painful.