Autoimmune disorders and dry eyes

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Dry eyes are often the result of bad living habits such as staying up late, working at the computer too much, often flying long distances. However, dry eyes can also be caused by an immune system disorder such as diabetes, lupus, or HIV.

1. Inflammation - The Root Cause of Dry Eyes

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body by mistake for invading bacteria and viruses. Common to all of these diseases is inflammation, which leads to pain, swelling, and other problems.
Inflammation can appear almost anywhere in the body. However, the disease usually manifests mainly in the skin or joints.
Inflammation can damage the lacrimal gland reducing its ability to make fluid. Or inflammation can affect the sebaceous glands in the eyelids. Both affected sites cause dry eyes.

2. Autoimmune diseases that cause dry eyes

2.1 Type 1 and type 2 diabetes Most people with diabetes are aware that the disease can cause eye problems such as retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. People with diabetes are less likely to develop dry eyes.
Dry eye occurs due to nerve damage that makes you lose feeling in your hands, feet and feet, not feeling cuts and sores, even in your eyes. Severe dryness that is left untreated can damage the cornea.
If you have diabetes, have your eyes checked regularly, including the cornea. If you don't have diabetes but have dry eyes, especially blurred vision, and are constantly thirsty, you should get tested for diabetes.
2.2 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has the potential to complicate almost any part of the body, including the eyes. Some people with RA develop a second autoimmune disease called Sjogren's syndrome, which causes dry eyes and mouth.
2.3 Lupus Having lupus makes you susceptible to many eye problems, the most common being dry eyes. Inflammation damages the tear glands, making them unable to produce enough moisture to keep eyes healthy.

2.4 Graves' disease Graves' disease causes tension in the muscles around the eyes, causing them to bulge slightly. When you can't close your eyes, the tears evaporate quickly.

3. Treatment

Treatments for autoimmune diseases depend on the disease, but most importantly, keep inflammation under control. If you have very dry eyes, you may need long-term anti-inflammatory eye drops or punctal (tears) plugs to prevent water loss from your eyes.
You can also use the following measures to ease dry eye symptoms, including:
Use eye drops (artificial tears) during the day and ointments at night. Attention, red eye drops make dry eyes worse. Avoid sitting next to air conditioners and heaters. Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night. Do not smoke. Do not look at the screen of the phone or computer too much. Blink often. Eat lots of fish, or ask your doctor about taking fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, and sardines help prevent inflammation and may make eyes healthier.

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Reference article source: Webmd.com