Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders that result in the body's immune system attacking itself. There are over 80 types that impact different parts of the body and result in a variety of symptoms. A common condition associated with several autoimmune diseases is dry eyes.
Sunsation Eyewear in Brooklyn provides care for dry eye syndrome (DES) resulting from autoimmune disease and other causes.
Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly due to a lack of the oils needed for sufficient lubrication. This makes the eyes dry, red, itchy and irritated.
DES is often caused by environmental factors, like being exposed to dry wind and air, not blinking enough while looking at a digital device or while reading, and comedogenic makeup — but it can also result from an underlying autoimmune disease.
Left untreated, dry eye syndrome can result in chronic eye inflammation and even corneal ulcers and permanent vision loss, in severe cases.
Autoimmune diseases can disrupt the normal functioning of the tear glands by prompting the immune system to mistakenly attack them. Treating the autoimmune disease can often help alleviate dry eye symptoms. At the same time, some medications used to manage autoimmune disease symptoms, like anti-inflammatory medication, may actually exacerbate DES.
Here are some common autoimmune diseases that raise the risk of developing DES:
These are just a few examples of autoimmune diseases that can cause dry eye. It's important to see an eye doctor if you're experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome, and mention any autoimmune disease in your medical history.
Schedule a dry eye exam at Sunsation Eyewear in Brooklyn. We can help.