Anterior Basement Membrane Dystrophy (ABMD)

[mohair3]

I have Sjogren's syndrome and have had dry eyes since 1989.  Back then they just told me to use eye drops.
Now I suffer from ghost images, glare from lights and photophobia and pain esp when the furnace is on and the air is dry. I also have episodes of painful episcleritis.  I have been dx'd with a spondyloarthritis.

Recently I was diagnosed at the VA hospital with a very mild case of ABMD and I read that it has the same symptoms of ghosting, glare and photophobia as I've been having for the last 10 yrs.
This cornea doctor said I didn't have a dry eye problem because my tear film looked fine.  However,  I have had the schirmer test at least 3 times and it comes back that I have dry eyes every time.
Could he be wrong about what is causing the ghosting and glare around lights and the pain behind my eyes?
I was also diagnosed with blepharitis many years ago but it went away and never came back, so I wonder if that couldn't have been Sjogren's syndrome.
Would it be worth it to get a second opinion?  Since I've had dry eyes since at least 1989, wouldn't it be more likely that it is the dry eyes that is causing the ghosting, glare and photophobia in both eyes?
Thanks,
Cheryl

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

1. Ghosting, glare and photophobia could be due to ABMD, dry eyes, cataract, other cornea disease.  I don't think Eye MDs can always diagnose dry eyes from looking at the tear film and the tear break up time (BUT). I would be more inclinded to believe the symptoms and abnormal schirmers X3.  Blepharitis and dry eyes often occur together.  If you have Sjorgren's Syndome then dry eyes is almost always a part of that problem and lastly spondyloarthritis is associated with dry eyes also (and uveitis).

Yes, I would get another opinion. Also use the search feature and search up "dry eyes" and "blepharitis

JCH MD

[mohair3]

Thank you, your patients are lucky to have you.
Cheryl

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Thanks Cheryl