What Is Sjögren's Syndrome?

Sjögren's (prounounced “SHOW-grins”) syndrome is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s white blood cells attack healthy tissue and organs. With this disease, the immune system attacks, among many other things, the glands that keep our eyes and mouth lubricated. This is why dry eyes are very common with Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune disease, and it may sometimes be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. Nine out of 10 people who have it are women between 40 and 60 years old. However, it can affect men and women of any age or race.

Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome

Eye-related symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome include:

• Very dry eyes
• Blurry vision
• Burning or stinging eyes
• A gritty feeling in the eye
• Being very sensitive to light
• Discomfort wearing contact lenses
• Blepharitis (inflamed eyelid margins)

Other common symptoms include dry mouth and pain in your joints.