Sjogren s syndrome destroys glands responsible for lubricating eyes and other parts of the body.
Can sjogren s syndrome cause blindness.
This autoimmune disorder is one of the leading causes of blindness in the united states because chronic poor blood sugar control can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the back of the eyes.
For most sufferers it attacks the salivary gland and the lacrimal glands which produce tears it can also affect the bowels and other moisture glands in the body.
A sialography is an x ray of the salivary glands and ducts.
Sjögren s syndrome is a systemic disease in which the defining clinical features dryness of the eyes and mouth arise from an autoimmune process affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands.
The condition affects 0 1 to 4 percent of people in the u s and 90 percent of people with sjogren s are women.
Although sjogren s syndrome can produce these types of symptoms many other ailments can also cause them.
Sjogren s syndrome is a condition in which the body s immune system attacks its own moisture producing glands.
If you do that you shouldn t have to worry about blindness.
Sjogren s syndrome also can cause dryness of the mouth that can lead to tooth decay or even loss of teeth.
Sjögren s syndrome ss is a rheumatic disease that may include central nervous system cns complications including demyelinating diseases that can affect the brain and the spinal cord.
It may occur either alone or in the context of another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.
The glands usually appear grey on ultrasound images but in people with sjögren s syndrome round black areas can be seen in the scans.
Ultrasound scans can sometimes help with a diagnosis with high frequency sound waves used to build up pictures of your salivary glands.
One such severe demyelinating disease is termed the neuromyelitis optica spectrum of disorders nmosd and may rapidly cause blindness and paralysis.
Sjogren s can cause problems for our vision so you ll want to use eye drops regularly and see your eye doctor once or twice a year.
It causes the eyes and mouth to dry out and can also lead to tooth decay.
A thorough consultation with a health professional is critical.
People with sjogren s syndrome are much more likely to develop oral thrush a yeast infection in the mouth.
Dry eyes can lead to light sensitivity blurred vision and corneal damage.
