From the Research
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) can affect the eyes in several ways, with eyelid skin alterations, dry eye disease, and retinal abnormalities being the most common ocular manifestations, as reported in a recent study 1. The study found that 56.86% of patients with SSc had eyelid skin alterations, 64.71% suffered from dry eye disease, and 50.98% had retinal abnormalities. Other ocular manifestations included cataracts, conjunctival changes, iris abnormalities, and glaucoma.
- The most common ocular findings in SSc patients are:
- Eyelid skin alterations
- Dry eye disease
- Retinal abnormalities
- Cataracts
- Conjunctival changes
- Iris abnormalities
- Glaucoma These findings are consistent with the heterogeneity of SSc and reflect the differences in the implicated pathophysiological mechanisms, as noted in another study 2. Regular ophthalmologic examinations every 6-12 months are recommended for SSc patients to monitor for these complications, as early recognition and management of ocular symptoms can prevent vision-threatening complications and improve quality of life for SSc patients 1. The underlying pathophysiology involves vascular damage, immune dysregulation, and excessive collagen production affecting ocular tissues, which can lead to a wide range of ocular manifestations, as reported in several studies 3, 4, 5, 2.
- Treatment for dry eye disease, a common ocular manifestation of SSc, typically begins with artificial tears (preservative-free) used 4-6 times daily, with more viscous gels at bedtime, and may require prescription medications like cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion or lifitegrast for moderate to severe cases. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on the ocular manifestations of SSc, and its findings should be prioritized in clinical practice.