Dry eyes often cause a burning or stinging sensation, as well as periods of blurred vision, which can disrupt daily life. While many people assume eye dryness is caused by aging or environmental factors, autoimmune diseases are actually a common reason for chronic dry eyes. This is because certain autoimmune disorders inflame the glands that keep the eyes hydrated, which then causes dry eye symptoms. When people understand the link between autoimmune diseases and dry eyes, they’re more likely to get the right treatment sooner. This guide covers common causes, specific autoimmune disorders involved, and the best approaches for treatment and long-term management.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

The surface of the eye stays healthy and comfortable with help from a balanced tear film that’s made of oil, water, and mucus layers. When any part of this system breaks down, dry eyes can cause symptoms such as burning, stinging, or blurred vision. Common causes of eye dryness include aging, contact lens wear, and prolonged screen time, all of which can reduce tear production or quality.

Sometimes, however, the problem goes deeper. Autoimmune diseases can damage the glands that keep the eyes hydrated, causing persistent dryness that simple eye drops often can’t fix. When these conditions affect tear production, symptoms tend to last longer and feel more severe. Eye doctors can conduct tests to determine if an autoimmune issue is involved and recommend the most effective treatments for autoimmune-related dry eyes.

Autoimmune Diseases Commonly Linked to Dry Eyes

Several autoimmune diseases are closely linked to chronic dry eyes. Each condition affects tear production differently, and they often create symptoms that need targeted evaluation and care.

• Sjögren’s Syndrome: This autoimmune disorder is one of the leading causes of chronic eye dryness in autoimmune conditions. It attacks moisture-producing glands, causing severe dry eyes and a dry mouth.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA-driven inflammation can damage the tear glands, contributing to persistent eye dryness that requires proper care.
• Lupus: Systemic inflammation in lupus often affects the ocular surface, necessitating a specialized dry eye treatment plan.
• Thyroid Eye Disease: Changes in eyelid position and tear film stability often lead to autoimmune disorders that cause dry eye symptoms.
• Other conditions: Psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease can also contribute to the link between autoimmune diseases and dry eyes.

Also read: Hydration and Eye Health: Simple Fixes for Chronic Dryness

How Autoimmune Diseases Trigger Dry Eyes

Autoimmune diseases can trigger dry eyes when the immune system mistakenly attacks the tear glands or the surrounding tissues. As the glands lose their ability to produce healthy tears, irritation becomes one of the most common causes of chronic eye dryness in autoimmune conditions. Tear volume and quality continue to decline over time, leading patients to seek more specialized dry eye treatment options.

Hormonal shifts and widespread inflammation add to the problem by disrupting the balance of oil, water, and mucus in the tear film. Autoimmune disorders that cause dry eye symptoms often involve multiple factors, making symptoms more challenging to manage.

Symptoms That Suggest More Than Routine Dry Eyes

Some symptoms suggest there may be more going on than routine dry eyes, especially when autoimmune diseases are involved. Persistent dryness that doesn’t improve with artificial tears is often the first sign, particularly when redness, pain, or sensitivity to light develop at the same time. These eye dryness causes can mean the glands that produce tears are being affected on a deeper level.

Chronic dry eyes combined with joint pain, fatigue, or other systemic issues may also be a sign of autoimmune disorders that cause dry eye symptoms. Even difficulty wearing contact lenses may reflect changes in the tear film brought on by inflammation.

Diagnostic Approaches

Identifying the causes of chronic eye dryness in autoimmune conditions typically begins with a comprehensive eye examination. During this visit, doctors evaluate the tear film’s oil, water, and mucus layers to see how well they protect the eye’s surface. Tests such as Schirmer’s test, tear breakup time, and ocular surface staining then help measure both tear production and quality, which guides their decisions about dry eye treatment options.

When autoimmune disorders that cause dry eye symptoms are suspected, eye doctors often work closely with rheumatologists to get a full picture of what’s actually happening. This collaboration helps confirm the link between autoimmune diseases and dry eyes while ruling out other causes of eye dryness. A thorough approach like this gives patients clearer answers and helps connect them with the best treatments for autoimmune-related dry eyes, along with long-term management strategies. 

Treatment Options for Autoimmune-Related Dry Eyes

Treating chronic dry eyes associated with autoimmune diseases typically requires a combination of strategies. Because eye dryness usually involves both inflammation and changes in tear production, effective care focuses on relieving symptoms while improving eye health over time.

• Lifestyle adjustments: Staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and limiting screen time may improve everyday comfort. Adding Eye-Press, a self-heating, reusable warm compress, helps open blocked oil glands and restore moisture for people with autoimmune disorders that cause dry eye symptoms. Its built-in lid wipes also support simple, consistent eyelid care.
• Medicated eye drops: Prescription drops such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) reduce inflammation and improve tear quality.
• Punctal plugs: These small inserts slow tear drainage so the eyes stay lubricated longer.
• Autologous serum tears: Made from the patient’s own blood serum, they help heal and protect the ocular surface.
• Systemic therapy: Treating the underlying autoimmune condition often improves the link between autoimmune diseases and dry eyes.

Also read: How Air Conditioning and Heating Can Worsen Your Dry Eyes

Long-Term Management and Prevention

People with autoimmune diseases that cause chronic dry eyes often need consistent, long-term care. Regular check-ups help them track symptoms and catch any changes early, allowing their dry eye treatment plan to stay effective over time. Coordinated care between ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, and primary care providers also helps keep everyone on the same page when managing dry eye disease with autoimmune disorders.

Daily habits matter, as well. Staying hydrated, eating foods rich in omega-3s, and practicing stress management techniques all support the best treatments for autoimmune-related dry eyes.

Conclusion

Chronic dry eyes sometimes signal autoimmune diseases rather than simple irritation or aging. Spotting the link between autoimmune diseases and dry eyes early often leads to better treatment options, improved comfort, and stronger long-term health outcomes. If you’re living with persistent dryness, redness, or other eye dryness causes, it’s important to look beyond over-the-counter remedies to find out what’s really happening.

Alongside medical care and the best treatments for autoimmune-related dry eyes, adding Eye-Press is a simple first step toward relief. Its self-heating, reusable design supports daily eye health and helps you manage dry eye disease with autoimmune disorders.