Overdue updates - contaminated drops and autoimmune relationships to dry eyes
If it sounds like Groundhog Day when I say that more over the counter artificial tear products are being recalled due to possible germ contamination, then I guess it is. Sadly, there were a number of eyedrops flagged by the FDA as potentially harmful and in need of recall. If you routinely use OTC artificial tears, then you should click on this link and check out the full list as it is lengthy (see above link).
Glance Editorial Team (2026, Apr 6). Dry eye may indicate early signs of autoimmune disease. Glance by Eyes On Eyecare. https://glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2026-04-07/dry-eye-may-indicate-early-signs-of-autoimmune-disease/
On another note, recent research points to the relationship between many forms of autoimmune diseases and dry eye. Of special interest, findings of dry eye predated the diagnosis of these autoimmune diseases by several years in many cases. Does this mean everyone with dry eyes needs special screening for autoimmune diseases? In my experience, certainly not. In my practice I do frequently screen patients for autoimmune causes and related diseases, but only after carefully evaluating them for the nature of their dry eye disease (MGD is by far the more common cause for the average dry eye disease and appears less linked to autoimmune causes. Higher levels of Aqueous Tear Deficiency (ATD) appears to be the more common form linked in some cases with autoimmune dry eye. When ATD refuses to improve with standard levels of treatment, or when certain other health “red flags” also present alongside ATD, then I am more inclined to test. When I test, the number of autoimmune findings on these lab tests continues to be a relatively low yield (indicating even in cases of severe ATD, autoimmune disease is still relatively low). It is also true that initial autoimmune blood work may be negative for autoimmune-related dry eye, but years later, may still turn positive with further testing. This can be partly true due to improving lab testing but also true because autoimmune metrics can climb and/or change over time - so retesting is sometimes necessary to be sure. Most importantly, treatment for autoimmune diseases continues to be constantly improving and even Sjogren’s disease appears to be headed for some specific treatment options (stay tuned - with fingers crossed for later this year or next). For more on autoimmune dry eye disease-related dry eyes, check out some of my prior posts on this - starting with this series: https://www.eyethera.com/blog/sjogrens-disease-autoimmune-dry-eye-part-1?rq=autoimmune
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaccoma, call Excellent Vision at either of these two dry eye offices:
(1) 155 Griffin Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 574-2020
(2) 3 Woodland Rd, STE 112 Stoneham, MA 02180 (near Boston) (781) 321-6463