Treatment of Sjögren Syndrome with Ocular Dryness or Abnormal Ocular Tests
Ocular involvement is common in Sjögren syndrome and may present as symptomatic dryness, objective abnormalities on ocular testing, or both. This clinical scenario calls for a defined, evidence-based treatment approach tailored to the severity of ocular surface disease.
Clinical Scenario
This protocol covers Sjögren syndrome patients presenting with ocular dryness and/or abnormal ocular tests. Adequate lubrication — with appropriate formulation and frequency adjusted to the patient's symptom burden and objective findings — is a foundational component of care in this population.
Treatment Approach (partial)
For patients with severe or refractory ocular dryness, a targeted topical ophthalmic agent is part of the management strategy. The complete protocol — including criteria for escalation, agent selection, and sequencing — is available via the link below.
References
DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216114
- We recommend that all SjS patients presenting with ocular dryness and/or abnormal ocular tests should use AT containing methylcellulose or hyaluronate at least twice daily, with the frequency increased to as often as hourly, as indicated by symptoms and/or objective signs.
- Ophthalmologists may consider the use of ocular CyA drops in patients with refractory or severe ocular dryness requiring repeated courses of glucocorticoid tear drops.
- In December 2002, an ophthalmic formulation containing 0.05% CyA was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat dry eye disease in the USA based on the results of two RCTs including patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
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