If you have Sjögren’s disease (formerly called Sjögren’s syndrome), you know how frustrating dry, irritated eyes can be. This autoimmune disease directly affects the glands that produce tears, leading to chronic (long-term) eye discomfort that can interfere with everyday life. Understanding Sjögren’s impact on your eyes — and what you can do about it — may help you find relief and protect your vision.

Dryness and Sjögren’s Disease

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks glands that keep parts of the body moist. This causes chronic dryness, most often in the mouth and eyes.

Sjögren’s symptoms include:

• Dry or itchy eyes
• Dry mouth, sometimes with thick saliva or mouth sores
• Dry nose, which can lead to frequent nosebleeds
• Dry throat, possibly causing coughing or hoarseness
• Dry skin
• Vaginal dryness

Sjögren’s can also cause swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, trouble concentrating, loss of taste, joint pain, muscle weakness, and — in rare cases — neuropathy (tingling and numbness in the hands and feet).

Sjögren’s Effects on the Eyes

Understanding how Sjögren’s disease affects the eyes can help you recognize symptoms early and seek appropriate care.

Reduced Tear Production

In Sjögren’s, immune cells damage the lacrimal glands, which produce the watery layer of your tears and help keep your eyes lubricated. Damage to these glands can reduce tear output, leading to dry eyes.

Dryness, Redness, Burning, and Blurred Vision

When tear production is reduced, the eye surface isn’t properly protected. You may experience burning, stinging, blurred vision, or a gritty or sandy sensation, and your eyes may look red and inflamed. Ongoing dryness can irritate the cornea (the surface of the eye) and, if left untreated, lead to ulcers that can threaten vision.

Swelling Around the Eyes

Inflammation can lead to swelling or puffiness around the eyelids. Inflammation of the tear glands, called dacryoadenitis, may cause swelling in the upper outer corner of the eye.

Changes in Symptoms

Symptoms may flare or improve based on factors such as weather, screen time, allergies, or fatigue. Tear film instability — when the thin layer of fluid that covers and protects your eye doesn’t stay smooth and even— can cause irritation and vision changes that come and go.

Eye Issues Linked to Sjögren’s Disease

Sjögren’s disease can lead to specific eye complications that need attention, including:

• Chronic dry eye — Dry eyes can cause burning, itching, irritation, a gritty sensation, or sensitivity to fluorescent or bright lighting. These symptoms are among the most common and bothersome effects of Sjögren’s.
• Corneal damage and problems — The Sjögren’s Foundation reports that 44 percent of people with Sjögren’s have at least one other eye-related issue beyond dryness, such as corneal scarring, ulcers, or erosions (when the cornea’s outer layer separates from the eye). Without proper tear protection, the cornea may also develop infections or nerve pain from surface damage.
• Blepharitis — Inflammation of the eyelid can occur with Sjögren’s and contribute to dry eyes.
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) — Sjögren’s can also be linked to pink eye, causing itching, redness, or discharge.

Eye Care Tips for Sjögren’s Disease

You can try a few strategies to reduce discomfort, protect your eyes, and safeguard your vision. Always check with your doctor before making any changes to your Sjögren’s treatment plan.

Use Artificial Tears and Ointments

Artificial tears or ointments may help relieve dry eye symptoms. Your eye doctor can recommend the best type for your needs, such as preservative-free eye drops, and may prescribe specific treatments if over-the-counter (OTC) options aren’t enough.

Protect from Environmental Factors

Protecting your eyes from environmental factors can make a difference. Following are some eye-protecting strategies:

• Wear sunglasses or glasses with anti-glare coatings to block the sunlight and wind.
• Position your computer screen so it’s below your eye level, which can help you open your eyes less wide and reduce tear evaporation.
• Stay hydrated and use a humidifier in your home to help keep your eyes moist.
• Avoid windy environments and central heat or air conditioning when possible.

Check Your Current Medications

Some medications, like antihistamines, can worsen dry eyes by reducing tear flow. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if any of your current medications could affect your eyes.

Keep Your Eyelids Clean

Clean your eyelids daily with warm compresses and gentle scrubs to help prevent inflammation. This may also help keep the oil glands in your eyelids working properly, so your tears last longer on the surface of your eyes.

Consider Taking Supplements

Some vitamins and supplements may help with dry eyes, although research results are mixed. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in flaxseed oil and fatty fish, may improve dry eye symptoms by supporting the oil layer of your tears.

Vitamin A, found in foods like dairy products, eggs, sweet potatoes, and carrots, can help keep eyes moist. Vitamin C and B vitamins may have anti-inflammatory benefits, and vitamin B12 could help protect the nerves responsible for tear production.

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new supplements, and seek guidance on choosing a reputable brand.

Try Prescription Treatments

If home remedies and OTC options don’t provide enough relief, your healthcare provider or eye doctor may recommend other treatment options. Anti-inflammatory eye drops can help relieve moderate to severe eye dryness. In some cases, steroid gels or creams may help reduce eye inflammation or redness. Special nasal sprays can sometimes boost tear production.

For people with persistent dry eyes, minor procedures like punctal plugs may be suggested. These tiny silicone or collagen plugs are inserted into the tear ducts to keep moisture on the surface of your eyes longer.

Eye Health and Sjögren’s Disease

It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Sudden vision changes
• Light sensitivity
• Signs of infection, like discharge or significant redness
• Persistent eye irritation

Your eye doctor can perform an eye exam and specific tests, like the Schirmer’s test, which measures your tear production and can help diagnose or monitor Sjögren’s disease.

Although Sjögren’s disease can cause persistent and sometimes severe eye problems, symptoms such as dryness, burning, and blurred vision can be managed with the right approach. Taking proactive steps, like protecting your eyes from environmental triggers and working with your doctor to find effective treatments, can make a meaningful difference in preserving your vision and improving your daily comfort.

Join the Conversation

On MySjögrensTeam, people share their experiences with Sjögren’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What eye care strategies have helped you manage dryness and discomfort from Sjögren’s? Let others know in the comments below.