by DANIELA FERNANDEZ, O.D.
I want to talk to you about something that affects millions of people: dry eye disease. If you’ve ever felt like your eyes are dry, itchy, burning, or watery, you might be dealing with this very common condition.
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or when the tears you do have don’t work the way they should. Healthy tears keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear. When there’s a problem with your tear film (the layer of moisture on your eye), your eyes can feel irritated, and your vision may even get blurry.
Now, did you know that dry eye isn’t always just about your eyes? Sometimes, it’s connected to inflammation in your body. Conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune diseases, this means the immune system, which usually fights off germs, starts attacking healthy parts of your body by mistake. This can cause inflammation in your joints, skin, and even your eyes.
With RA and SLE, the body’s immune response can damage the glands that produce tears, leading to severe dry eye. You may also hear of something called Sjogren’s Syndrome, which often goes hand-in-hand with RA or lupus. Sjogren’s directly affects the moisture-making glands in your eyes and mouth, causing chronic dryness.
Dry eye caused by these conditions often feels worse than regular dry eye and may require more advanced treatments. These might include prescription eye drops, anti-inflammatory medications, or special therapies to help your eyes stay moist and comfortable.
The good news? We’re here to help. As an optometrist, I work closely with patients who have autoimmune or inflammatory conditions to protect their eye health. If you have RA, SLE, or experience constant dryness or discomfort in your eyes, it’s important to let your eye doctor know.
We can come up with a personalized treatment plan to ease your symptoms and prevent long-term damage. Even though dry eye can be frustrating, there are many ways we can manage it and keep your eyes feeling better.
Your eyes deserve care, especially when your body is already fighting inflammation. So don’t wait! If you’re experiencing dry, irritated eyes, schedule a visit with your optometrist. We’re here to help you see and feel your best. Call 800-282-3937 or visit us online at EYESFL.COM to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Daniela Fernandez is a board-certified optometrist who sees patients at the Sebring location for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. She specializes in primary care optometry, contact lenses, and is accepting new patients.