Considering LASIK? Diagnosed with glaucoma or cataracts? Dr. Bill Lloyd shares advice and information on eye disorders and general eye care to help you see your best. ...
Dry eyes are a common topic of discussion over at our WebMD Eye & Vision Disorder member community. Most folks with dry eyes experience symptoms because of inadequate maintenance wetting of the eyes. Tiny accessory lacrimal glands near the eyeball produce these maintenance tears. Tear supplements and topical cyclosporine eyedrops provide effective relief. Individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are not so lucky. They have a serious autoimmune disorder wherein their own lymphocytes are targeting their own tissues. RA can lead to complete obliteration of all lacrimal gland tissue with consequent permanent eye damage. Imagine, not only do you lose flexibility and mobility in your joints you may also lose precious eyesight. RA is one diagnosis not to be taken lightly! New research data recently published in the Journal of Rheumatology highlight these dangers. Nearly 13,000 RA patients were analyzed. 29% of these patients experienced symptomatic dryness of the eyes and mouth. All other RA symptoms were reviewed and compared to the dry eye statistics. This would include complaints like joint pain, fatigue, fever, etc. Guess what? The researchers discovered a very strong, reproducible correlation between combined RA symptoms of fatigue and body pain to the presence of dry eyes. How is that information helpful? Individuals with early clinical dry eyes are not overwhelmed by dry eye irritation even though the microscopic damage is w ...
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Dry eyes are a common topic of discussion over at our WebMD Eye & Vision Disorder member community. Most folks with dry eyes experience symptoms because of inadequate maintenance wetting of the eyes. Tiny accessory lacrimal glands near the eyeball produce these maintenance tears. Tear supplements and topical cyclosporine eyedrops provide effective relief. Individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are not so lucky. They have a serious autoimmune disorder wherein their own lymphocytes are targeting their own tissues. RA can lead to complete obliteration of all lacrimal gland tissue with consequent permanent eye damage. Imagine, not only do you lose flexibility and mobility in your joints you may also lose precious eyesight. RA is one diagnosis not to be taken lightly! New research data recently published in the Journal of Rheumatology highlight these dangers. Nearly 13,000 RA patients were analyzed. 29% of these patients experienced symptomatic dryness of the eyes and mouth. All other RA symptoms were reviewed and compared to the dry eye statistics. This would include complaints like joint pain, fatigue, fever, etc. Guess what? The researchers discovered a very strong, reproducible correlation between combined RA symptoms of fatigue and body pain to the presence of dry eyes. How is that information helpful? Individuals with early clinical dry eyes are not overwhelmed by dry eye irritation even though the microscopic damage is w ...