Tears help keep your eyes clean, wash
away debris that makes it past the eyelids and lashes, and keep them
lubricated as well as help fight disease. Tears are a combination of
antibodies, oil, and water. While tears are necessary, sometimes your
eyes may produce either too many tears or not enough.
Allergies, dehydration, and minor eye
irritations are often the cause of excessive tearing or dry eyes, but
occasionally, underlying medical conditions, such as autoimmune
diseases, may result in too much tearing or alternately dry eyes.
Here is a look at three possibilities.
1. Bell's Palsy
The eye is tremendously delicate, and
your eyelids and eyelashes help protect your eyes from dirt, dust,
and debris that could injure the sensitive tissue. Unfortunately,
Bell's palsy can interfere with the protection your eyelids and
eyelashes offer.
Bell's palsy is likely an autoimmune
disease that is possibly triggered by a virus. It has been linked to
the herpes virus, chickenpox, and shingles among other similar
viruses. Bell's palsy affects the primary facial nerve and causes a
temporary, partial paralysis or weakness in the facial muscles. It
typically only affects one side of the face.
Because the eye may not be able to
close or blink properly, the eyes may excessively tear and eventually
dry out from the lack of lubrication as the tears evaporate. Your eye
doctor will likely prescribe lubricating eye drops as well as an eye
ointment. You may also need to tape your eye shut to further protect
it.
2. Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune
disease in which the body attacks the glands that keep your body
lubricated. Among other things,
Sjögren's syndrome can result
in vaginal dryness in women, joint problems, dry skin, dry mouth, and
a chronic dry cough.
As the eyes depend on special glands to
produce tears and keep the eyes moist, people with Sjögren's
syndrome also experience chronically dry eyes. This can cause vision
problems. Damage to the cornea can occur from chronic dryness, such
as corneal scarring.
Blepharitis, which is the swelling and
inflammation of the eyelid, is another common symptom of Sjögren's
syndrome. Blurred vision, burning, the sensation of something gritty
in the eye, and light sensitivity are other possible problems.
Eye doctors often prescribe oil-based
eye drops to combat the eye dryness that accompanies Sjögren's
syndrome. An oil-based lubricant does not evaporate as quickly as a
water-based lubricant. The doctor will also check for a blockage in
the eye glands that produce an oily substance that helps prevent tear
evaporation.
3. Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which
a hyperactive immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. It
can affect all bodily systems and organs, including the eyes. People
with systemic lupus may experience changes in their eyelid skin and
inflammation in the white part of the eye, which is sometimes the
first sign of lupus.
Changes in the blood vessels in the
retina and nerve damage are also common, which can be serious and may
lead to impaired vision or vision loss. Chronically dry eyes are also
common in people with lupus. In fact, people with lupus also often
have secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Unfortunately, medications used
to treat lupus can also damage the eye, so regular eye checkups are
important once diagnosed.
Bell's palsy is a suspected autoimmune
disease while Sjögren's syndrome and lupus are both confirmed
autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases can be notoriously difficult
to diagnose as there is typically no single symptom or test that
confirms the diagnosis.
Your eye problems could provide the
missing piece in the puzzle of an underlying autoimmune condition
diagnosis. This is just one more reason why regularly seeing an
ophthalmologist is critical to your overall health and wellness. If
you are experiencing excess tearing, dry eyes, or any other eye
problems, contact
the Calvert Ophthalmology Center today to schedule an appointment.
