Cicatrizing conjunctivitis as an uncommon manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome

To report occurrence of cicatrizing conjunctivitis as an extraglandular ocular manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Medical charts of all patients with SS evaluated at two tertiary ophthalmological referral centers were reviewed. Patients who demonstrated clinical findings of cicatrizing conjunctivitis were included in this review. Patient and disease-related data including ocular complications, therapies and outcomes were collected.

Eight patients with a diagnosisis of SS were noted to have cicatrizing conjunctivitis findings over a period of 11 years (between 2009 and 2020). Mean age of patients was 79. All patients had a negative immunoreactant deposition in conjunctival biopsy. Mean follow-up time was 6 years (range, 18-197 months). Three patients had progression of conjunctival scarring. Worsening of vision occurred in 4 patients due to corneal complications, including ulceration, perforation and scarring.

SS is an under-recognized etiology of severe progressive cicatrizing conjunctivitis that can lead to ocular morbidity and loss of vision without appropriate management.