Sjogrens

[Zeberdee1]

Hi Everyone, does anyone with Sjogrens also get conjunctivitis. My eyes over last couple of months have been feeling dryer than normal and in the last 4 weeks I've had what looks like conjunctivitis twice. I've used eye drops for conjunctivitis from boots which seem to help. It is a conjunctivitis a thing with Sjogrens?? I've never had it before and to have it twice over a short period is odd. What's the best treatment?

[StriatedCaracara]

I have had drier eyes than normal, but I think it is due to autonomic dysfunction.

Eyes been red since August despite using Hylo Night and Hylo Forte and USB heated eye mask.

I wake in the mornings feeling rubbish, everywhere goes dry over night as if nervous system is not allowing moisture to be secreted. During the day things improve, so seems a bit strange.

If scroll down on this page there is a good diagram. thedysautonomiaproject.org/...

I think this may link in with having covid or particular covid jabs too. I'm finding papers on the Internet.

joii-journal.springeropen.c...

I'm confident with time will go. I'm trying to change my diet a bit so less inflammatory - including seeds etc too.

[StriatedCaracara in reply to StriatedCaracara]

If you are photophobia it could be uveitis, so may be worth visiting an optician. My GP then referred me to eye hospital first time it happened. Opticians referral was not accepted, and they said GP needed to refer instead.

[Zeberdee1 in reply to StriatedCaracara]

Thank you will look into this

[Chris21]

Hi zeberdee1, I get this problem occasionally, the first I went to the GP, it wasn’t actual conjunctivitis, just showing similar pattern and it was because they had become very dry. I was given ointment that was quite thick, which makes vision blurry so I used it before going to bed and then non preservative eye drops during the day. Now the weather is changing and central heating on, I can feel my eyes are more drier than usual and will have to up my drops or start using the night cream. Air conditioner also has an impact on my eyes.

Might be best to check with GP to make sure it is conjunctivitis.

[Zeberdee1 in reply to Chris21]

Thank you Chris, can definitely see a difference with the change in weather 🥶. Will speak to gp if it's reoccurring as definitely not normal. I use the hylo during the day but will see what I can get for the night. Thanks

[Lizard28]

It could be blepharitis, I have this and it’s similar to conjunctivitis, I’d see an optician. Get a cotton bud and clean all round your eyelids to see if it helps. My eyes are also very dry, I use eye drops and use Xailin Night gel. I had to get punctual plugs in which helps my eyes a lot. Our GP won’t see you if it’s an eye problem, you have to go to an optician. I’m lucky my Rheumy consultant referred me to the ophthalmologist at the hospital so I get my eyes checked every six month although just now it’s almost yearly.

[Kidneykate]

Yes I’ve had conjunctivitis a few times

[MissusTee]

I get blephritis frequently which is very common with Sjögrens.

[SotonBee in reply to MissusTee]

Me too

[OldTed60]

Hi. My Sjögren’s sicca isn’t bad at all these days since plugs and Mycophenolate - but I take a belt and braces approach. The real saver of my eyes has been hylo night ointment. Others say ointment makes eyes blurry during day but in my case I can use bit in the middle day as well as more before bed and just rub it into my lower lids. Other thing seems to keep my eye consultant v happy at my annual check ups (used to be 3 months, then 6 but now so good that it’s yearly!) is that I use a USB heated eye mask daily and do my breathing exercises or nap. I used to get conjunctivitis often before I was diagnosed but, as others have said, please see an optician to check it’s actually conjunctivitis - which can be either bacterial or viral - very different treatments for each. My eye consultant says always see an optician over a GP for eye related issues as GPs aren’t as qualified and opticians have training and equipment to check and can refer you to hospital eye clinic if concerned.

[michaellasmith Administrator]

Hi there Zeberdee1,

I have attached a blog from our website which you may find useful, it includes information on treatments available, how to cope with Sjogrens and links to other websites with more information on the condition.

lupusuk.org.uk/dry-eyes-and...

Warm regards,

Michaella