Venus Williams Withdraws from U.S. Open Due to Sjogren Syndrome

Written by Laura Green, M.D., Residency Program Director, Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Krieger Eye Institute, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Dr. Laura Green

Sjogren syndrome was in the news recently as tennis player Venus Williams  was forced to withdraw form the U.S. Open tennis tournament due to symptoms from the disease. Sjogren syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects glandular tissues – most notably the tear and saliva glands. This results in dry eye and dry mouth. Microscopically, what’s happening is that your body’s own white blood cells come in and attack the gland, ultimately destroying its ability to provide moisture.

In addition to dry eye and dry mouth, patients can experience muscle and joint aches and pains, as well as debilitating fatigue. It’s understandable how these symptoms might make it difficult, if not impossible, to play tennis at a high level.  There are many available treatments for Sjogren syndrome, depending on the severity, and the organs affected, with a high rate of success.

You can read more about Venus Williams and Sjogren Syndrome here.

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