Newswise — Denver, Colo. – Scientists have identified new biomarkers that could distinguish Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) from other autoimmune diseases in days or weeks, improving on a current time to diagnosis of four-plus years. The research is being presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Denver, Colo.

Looking at the tears of patients with SS and other autoimmune diseases, researchers identified four proteins that are found at significantly different levels in SS patients. Clinicians could use these observations to quickly diagnose SS, leading to more timely and effective treatment.

About four million Americans suffer from SS, a disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva, leading to blindness.

Abstract Title: Four tear biomarkers distinguish Sjögren’s Syndrome patients from patients with other autoimmune diseasesPresentation Start/End Time: Monday, May 4, 3:45pm – 5:30pm Location: Exhibit HallAbstract Number: 2483 – D0087

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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include nearly 12,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.

Meeting Link: ARVO annual meeting