The Sjögren’s Foundation actively works to educate the various specialties involved with Sjögren’s care, such as pulmonology, nephrology, neurology and oncology, as well as primary care providers and dentists, Ms. Church adds.
There are also tips ophthalomologists can follow:
• Provide guidance on when more advanced interventions should be considered, such as amniotic membrane placement, scleral lenses or autologous serum drops, Dr. Meysami advises.
• Communicate findings from your exam and regarding the overall progression of dry eye severity so the rheumatologist stays in the loop, Dr. Lakin advises.
• Let the rheumatologist know promptly about any diagnosed eye infections. “Frequent infections impact the ability to use systemic immunosuppression for other disease manifestations. This underscores the importance of rheumatology/ophthalmology team approach to care,” Dr. Lakin says.
• Focus on early treatment and prevention instead of waiting until patients are uncomfortable and then treating them, Ms. Church recommended. This requires a mindshift in care, she adds.
Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.
References
- Sjögren’s Foundation. Living with Sjögren’s and dry eye. 2024. https://sjogrens.org/blog/2024/living-with-sjogrens-and-dry-eye.
- Sjögren’s Foundation. Breakthrough goal. https://sjogrens.org/about-us/history/breakthrough-goal.
- Akpek EK, Mathews P, Hahn S, et al. Ocular and systemic morbidity in a longitudinal cohort of Sjogren’s syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2015 Jan;122(1):56–61.
- Hwang J, Li G, Sommi A, Klawe J, et al. Demographic and ocular comorbidities in elderly individuals with corneal ulcers. Ophthalmology. 2025;132:254–257.
- Jones L, Downie LE, Korb D, et al. TFOS DEWS II management and therapy report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15:575–628.
- Jones L, Craig JP, Markoulli M, et al. TFOS DEWS III management and therapy report. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10PHL822N4T.
- Iolyx Therapeutics. Iolyx Therapeutics announces phase 2 results for ILYX-2 in autoimmune dry eye disease. 2025 May 27. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/27/3088611/0/en/Iolyx-Therapeutics-Announces-Phase-2-Results-for-ILYX-002-in-Autoimmune-Dry-Eye-Disease.html.
- Alcon. Alcon announces FDA approval of TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003% for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. 2025 May 28. https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/press-releases/news-details/2025/Alcon-Announces-FDA-Approval-of-TRYPTYR-acoltremon-ophthalmic-solution-0-003-for-the-Treatment-of-the-Signs-and-Symptoms-of-Dry-Eye-Disease/default.aspx.
