Dry eyes ,disrupted tear film, ?Sjogrens

[PMRnewbie2017]

I believe we have a few members who have posted about this in the past.

I'm a PMR long termer diagnosed in Nov 2017 and currently taking 2.5mg Prednisolone. In June 2023 I had a revision of refractive surgery to both eyes at a world leading specialist centre in London. The procedure is known to affect then integrity of the tear film. At my final appointment last week they have confirmed what I suspected that my tear film is sub optimal on all three of its layers and my Meibomian glands are blocked. I know that a cure is not possible and following a regime of cleansing and lubrication will manage the symptoms. My question is relating to the Clinic suggesting I go to see an immunologist who also specialises in eyes, incase my symptoms are connected to Sjogrens as it can occur in patients with RA and other auto-immune conditions.

Does anyone here have Sjogrens too? My vision is constantly changing and although I have a cataract in the left eye, their opinion is that even if I had a lens replacement in the future, the quality of my tear film will still cause visual aberrations. Following on from a very intensive set of tests last week my eye health is otherwise ok.

[Wonderfullifeandmore]

Hi, I have PMR, RA & Sjogrens I had cataracts removed in 2023 but I do get blurry vision sometimes, I put eye drops in several times a day and find my vision is worse first thing in the morning.

[PMRnewbie2017 in reply to Wonderfullifeandmore]

Thank you for your reply

[Mrsd12f]

Hi. I also have Sjögren’s, diagnosed by the rheumatologist when my PMR was confirmed, in 2015. Other than the usual dryness, everywhere, I can’t say it affects me too much, though I am finding that I’m having to use the eye drops more frequently, at the moment. Like Wonderful Life, I find my eyes most blurry, first thing.

I use Xylimelts lozenges at night to help alleviate the “Velcro” mouth. As has often been said, unfortunately, autoimmune conditions do like to go around in gangs.

I hope you find some answers from the medics.

[PMRnewbie2017 in reply to Mrsd12f]

Thank you for your reply

[arvine]

hello actually i have had symptons, extreme dry parched mouth, and dry eyes, along wiith muscle joint pain, although i have osteoarthritis , and was RA negative, my GP has ordered bloodwork to check for Skogren s, been on pred almost 8 years, what other symptons have you had other than your eyes if any

[PMRnewbie2017]

Just the dry eyes and a phlegmy cough. Had the cough for years and GPs always say nothing wrong. Seems my airways produce lots of mucus in response to allergens.Regarding the tear film, it is slightly more stable since I've been following the advice of Prof. Reinstein's team, but when it's poor my vision is not up to scratch which is why I had refractive surgery again. Very disappointing.