Certified Clinical Ophthalmic Assistant (CCOA) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder primarily characterized by the body's immune system attacking its moisture-producing glands. The most notable symptoms of this condition are the resulting dryness in various mucosal areas, particularly in the mouth and eyes. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs due to the inflammation and damage to the salivary glands. Similarly, dry eyes or keratoconjunctivitis sicca is caused by the dysfunction of the lacrimal glands, leading to decreased tear production.

The other options, while they may represent symptoms associated with different ocular or systemic conditions, do not align specifically with the hallmark symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome. Vision changes and headaches might arise from various disorders but are not signature indicators of Sjogren's. Similarly, loss of peripheral vision and night blindness could indicate retinal problems or other eye diseases but again are not direct symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome. Therefore, the description of dry mouth and dry eyes encapsulates the primary and most significant symptoms of this autoimmune condition, making it the correct answer.