If we were to list the causes of dry eye, we would get a long list. Apart from all the known causes, sometimes dry eye can also develop as a result of rare diseases. Sjögren’s syndrome is one of these diseases. Sjögren’s syndrome, which causes dry eye, is a disease that can also cause effects such as dry mouth in patients. Let’s get to know this disease more closely and explain its relationship with dry eye.
What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Sjögren’s is a disease of the immune system. The immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells. In this autoimmune disease, the glands that produce moisture in the body are targeted and the tear glands and salivary glands are affected.
In advanced cases, inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands can also occur. Disruption of the structure here causes undesirable conditions such as dry mouth and dry eyes.
How Does the Immune System Cause Dry Eyes?
In Sjögren’s syndrome, the tear glands, which become the target of the immune system, may be damaged and may not function properly. In this case, there is a decrease in tear production. This results in dry eyes.
In addition, the eye is now more susceptible to infections and this again has an effect that can lead to dry eye.
How to Treat Sjögren’s Syndrome and Dry Eye?
We cannot say that there is a definitive treatment for Sjögren’s, which is an immune system disease. Although it is not completely cured, immunosuppression treatments can be used to reduce the effects. In this process, tear drops can be used and eye care is taken to create a precaution against dry eye and to treat dry eye.
Since the patient will be more prone to dry eye during this process, it will be important to eat a diet rich in omega-3, pay attention to care to remove the blockage of the tear glands and adjust the humidity of your environment. We can say that these methods can be effective in improving the quality of life.
What are the Symptoms of Sjögren?
Let’s answer another very curious question. Dry eye alone cannot be considered as the symptoms of this syndrome. The following symptoms are the most common symptoms.
- Swelling of the salivary glands
- Constant fatigue
- Pain in joints and muscles
- Dryness, burning and stinging sensation in the eyes
- Recurrent dry mouth and swallowing difficulties
- Increased dryness of the skin
- Recurrent dryness in the nose
If you have these and similar symptoms, it is useful to consult a specialist doctor. Aside from its relationship with dry eye, it is important to intervene early and suppress the disease in order to prevent the progression and control the development of Sjögren’s syndrome.
