July is a month with a dry eye.
Blink twice when you read this. How do your eyes feel?
Are you irritated? Do you have the feeling that you have sand grains in your eyes, but you are not near the beach? Do you have an autoimmune disease?
This last question may seem random, but with an autoimmune disease there is a higher risk of dry eye diseases – a chronic illness that causes symptoms such as granular eyes and loss of vision if they are not treated.
“If you have a dry eye that continues and it is not just episodic, get in to see an ophthalmologist. And this is particularly important if you have a family history [of autoimmune disease] Or you have other systemic problems, ”said Mina Massaro, MD, professor of clinical eye level at the Scheiie Eye Institute and on the upcoming Director of Dry Eye Services at Nyu Langone Health.
It is also important that women and people at birth (AFB) assigned women to observe the connection between autoimmune diseases and dry eye diseases, since both illnesses are more common in women than in men.
Read: What you need to know about dry eye diseases >>
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye diseases are a disturbance that affects the tear film that contributes to protecting and moistening your eyes.
There are two main types of dry eye diseases:
- Aqueous deficiency: Your eyes do not create enough tears to provide your eyes with moisture
- Evaporation: Your eyes make enough tears, but the liquid does not stay long enough and dry out quickly
The symptoms of a dry eye disease can range from redness and grossy to blurry seeing, eye pain and changes in vision. Without treatment, dry eye diseases can seriously influence their eyesight and quality of life.
The relationship between autoimmune diseases and dry eye diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system incorrectly attacks healthy organs, cells and tissues. And this can include the tear glands that lead to a decrease in tear production and lead to inflammation and damage to the surface of the eye.
Chronic eye inflammation also affects the oil glands, and without oil their tears evaporate too early.
Together, reduced tears, the lack of oil and the presence of inflammation can lead to an illness of dry eyes, an illness that becomes worse over time without treatment.
Read: Inflammation 101 >>
Common autoimmune diseases in connection with dry eye diseases
“There are various autoimmune diseases that attack in glands and tissues or create inflammation that are responsible for the creation of tears,” said Massaro.
Frequent autoimmune diseases associated with dry eye diseases can include the following:
- Diabetes: The high blood sugar level, the license plate of diabetes, can trigger inflammatory reactions that influence tear production and increase tears. Over time, high blood sugar can also damage the nerves in the eye, which can lead to a reduced amount and quality tears.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: The immune cells that aim at the joints in people with rheumatoid arthritis can also be targeted on eye rattels and fabrics.
- Lupus: About 1 out of 5 people with lupus, a systemic disease that causes inflammation in different parts of the body, also has dry eye diseases.
- Graves’ illness: The condition can damage the muscles and glands in the eye and change the tear film, which can also cause surface damage.
Treatment in dry eye diseases
“All autoimmune conditions somehow affect the tear gland [located in the eye]Treatment in most cases will be similar, “said Massaro.” We are given patients with anti -inflammatory drops. We will put them on lubrication drops – and that applies to pretty much all autoimmune conditions. “
In addition to eye drops, eye care providers can use prescription treatments that increase tear production or medical devices with light or heat to treat symptoms and lubrication of eyes. Silicone plugs can help keep the eyes on the eyes for a longer period of time. “Sometimes we can prescribe special contact lenses on the surface of the eye to prevent evaporation,” said Massaro.
There are also lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of dry eye diseases. This includes:
- Wind outdoors outdoors
- Avoid climate systems indoors and in the car
- Avoid places where people smoke and/or quit smoking
- Limitation of the screen time
- Plan breaks when you work in front of a computer
- Use of a humidifier in your house to prevent the air from becoming too dry
Clear communication is the key
Autoimmune diseases are complex and often require different treatments and medication – and some of these drugs can make the symptoms of a disease of dry eyes worse. For this reason, it is important to keep your health service providers – including your eye care provider – in the loop in terms of your treatment plans and all changes in your eyesight.
“Cooperation is critical and communication is critical,” said Massaro.
When it comes to living with dry eye diseases and autoimmune diseases, there is no “me” in the team.
This educational resource was created with the support of VIUTRIS, a healthy member of the management consultancy.
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