Therapeutic Targets in the Management of Dry Eye Disease Associated with Sjögren’s Syndrome: An Updated Review of Current Insights and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is a continuing medical challenge, further worsened in the autoimmune inflammatory hyperactivation milieu of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) due to disturbances to innate and adaptive immunity with malfunctioning neuro-endocrine control. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms of SS DED are not fully established. This review summarized the available evidence, from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials, for the efficacy and safety of the available ocular therapeutics for the management of SS DED. Relevant studies were obtained from major databases using appropriate keywords. The available largely empirical symptomatic, supportive, and restorative treatments have significant limitations as they do not alter local and systemic disease progression. Topical therapies have expanded to include biologics, surgical approaches, scleral lens fitting, the management of lid margin disease, systemic treatments, nutritional support, and the transplantation of stem cells. They are not curative, as they cannot permanently restore the ocular surface’s homeostasis. These approaches are efficacious in the short term in most studies, with more significant variability in outcome measures among studies in the long term. This review offers an interdisciplinary perspective that enriches our understanding of SS DED. This updated review addresses current knowledge gaps and identifies promising areas for future research to overcome this medical challenge.