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What Is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

What is it?

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the body’s glands that secrete fluid, for example the tear and saliva glands.

These fluid secreting glands get inflamed, which in turn slows down the production of tears and saliva. This causes the main symptoms of the syndrome which include dry eyes and mouth. A lot of people may initially present their ophthalmologist or opticians with dry eyes and be unsure of the cause.

Who is Affected?

People aged between 40-60 years old are most commonly affected by the syndrome and about 90% of cases reported are women. Arthritis Research UK estimate there could be up to half a million people that have Sjögren’s syndrome in the UK.

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Causes

An autoimmune condition, which Sjögren’s syndrome is, means that the immune system acts abnormally and instead of protecting the body from illnesses and infections it starts attacking the healthy tissues and cells within the body. With Sjögren’s syndrome, glands that secret fluid are attacked by the immune system. The reasons behind this are still unknown but some research has suggested it may be activated by a mix of environmental, genetic and hormonal influences. Sjögren’s syndrome can be classed as one of two following:

  • Primary – this is where Sjögren’s syndrome develops on its own and is not part or result of another disease or condition.
  • Secondary – this is where Sjögren’s syndrome develops together with an additional autoimmune condition, for example rheumatoid arthritis.

It can be very difficult for an eye doctor or other health professional to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to other conditions and at the moment there is not one test for the syndrome. Initially your eye doctor will ask you about your history, symptoms and test to see how dry your eyes are. If Sjögren’s syndrome is suspected, you may be referred to your GP for blood and other tests.

Treatment

Sjögren’s syndrome has no cure but there is treatment that can help control the symptoms. Normally your ophthalmologist may give you artificial tears to help with dry eyes and advise you to maintain a good eye health routine to avoid infections. You may also be recommended moisture chamber glasses and punctal plugs to keep your eyes as lubricated as possible. Prescription medication may also be given. It is very important to have your regular eye checks with your eye doctor too so they can monitor the dryness of your eyes and give you the most up to date advice and treatment. If you have any concerns about your Sjögren’s syndrome or suspect you may have the syndrome, it is very important to speak to a professional as your eyesight can be permanently damaged if the reduced production of tears is not treated.

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About the expert

Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon

MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.