Fibromyalgia may cause, or contribute to, Dry Eye symptoms.
In a small study of 20 patients with fibromyalgia, 18 patients were found to have a moderate decrease in corneal sensitivity. Decreased corneal sensitivity can lead to decreased tear production.
Another study found an increased risk, rather than a causal relationship, of Dry Eye among patients with fibromyalgia.
the overall incidence rate of DES was 7.37/10,000 in the FM population, and 4.81/10,000 in the control group. The age-specific incidence rate was highest among those 50 to 64 years (9.38/10,000) in the FM population. Moreover, the incidence rate was highest among those aged >65 years (9.66/10,000) in the control group; this group is the most vulnerable to DES.
References
Decreased corneal sensitivity and tear production in fibromyalgia
Gallar J1, Morales C, Freire V, Acosta MC, Belmonte C, Duran JA.
Investigative ophthalmology and visual science
2009 Sep;50(9):4129-34. doi: 10.1167/iovs.08-3083. Epub 2009 Mar 25.
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Dry Eye Syndrome Risks in Patients With Fibromyalgia, A National Retrospective Cohort Study
Chao-Hsien Chen, Tse-Yen Yang, Cheng-Li Lin, Chih-Sheng Chen, Wei-Ming Lin, Chia-Nan Kuo, Ming-Chia Lin, Chia-Hung Kao.
MEDICINE (BALTIMORE)
2016 Jan; 95(4): e2607.
Published online 2016 Jan 29. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002607
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