Disease Page for Patients

DISEASE PAGES FOR PATIENTS

SCLERAL LENS EDUCATION SOCIETY

Last updated 12/07/2025

OCULAR SURFACE DISEASE

Sjögren’s Disease

Sjögren’s disease is a long-term condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands. This often causes dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also affect other parts of the body like the joints, lungs, or nerves. It usually starts in people over 40 and is more common in women. Some people have Sjögren’s on its own, while others may also have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

When it comes to the eyes, Sjögren’s can lead to a burning or gritty feeling, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light because the eyes don’t produce enough healthy tears.

Scleral contact lenses are a special type of lens that create a space filled with liquid that keeps the eye surface moist all day. This helps reduce dryness, irritation, and vision problems, and it also protects the eye and helps it heal.

Additional Resources

Sjögren’s Foundation: Offers comprehensive information, support networks, and educational materials.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS):Offers patient-friendly information on Sjögren’s disease.

Neurotrophic Keratitis: Patient Summary

Neurotrophic keratitis, or NK, is a rare eye condition that happens when the cornea loses feeling due to nerve damage—usually from issues affecting the trigeminal nerve. Without normal sensation, the eye doesn’t heal well and becomes more vulnerable to damage, often without causing pain. Common causes include viral infections like shingles, diabetes, chemical injuries, long-term contact lens wear, or certain surgeries.

NK can range from mild surface changes to more serious problems like persistent wounds or corneal ulcers. Because the eye may not feel pain, it’s important to catch and treat NK early to prevent vision loss.

Scleral lenses are special contact lenses that can help protect and heal the eye in people with NK. These large lenses rest on the white part of the eye and hold a layer of fluid over the cornea, keeping it moist and protected all day. This helps the eye heal and prevents further damage from dryness or irritation.

Additional Resources

EyeWiki: Neurotrophic Keratitis: A comprehensive overview of NK, including pathophysiology, clinical features, and management strategies.
StatPearls: Neurotrophic Keratitis: Detailed information on NK’s etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease (oGVHD): Patient Summary

Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is a common eye complication that can occur after a stem cell transplant. It happens when immune cells from the donor attack the surface of the recipient’s eyes, especially the tear glands and the conjunctiva. This leads to severe dryness, inflammation, and sometimes damage to the front of the eye (like ulcers or scarring).

People with oGVHD often feel burning, stinging, grittiness (like something is in the eye), light sensitivity, redness, and blurry vision. The severity can vary, but if left untreated, it may seriously affect comfort, daily activities, and even vision.

Scleral lenses are large, specialized contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye and hold a layer of fluid over the cornea. This helps keep the eye hydrated, reduces irritation, and protects the surface from further damage. For patients with oGVHD, scleral lenses can relieve dryness, improve vision, and support healing of the eye surface.

Additional Resources

EyeWiki: Ocular Graft Versus Host Disease: Comprehensive information on oGVHD, including pathophysiology and management strategies.
Nature Article on oGVHD: In-depth review of current and emerging therapies for oGVHD.