Dry eye syndrome: A chronic inflammation process

Abstract

Dry eye disease is a disorder of the lacrimal film that leads to epithelial damage and disruption of normal homeostasis on the ocular surface. Recently, it has been recognized that immunologic mechanisms which regulate the inflammation response plays an important role in the cause of dry eye disease. Conjunctive cells from patients with dry eye, with or without Sjögren Syndrome, express inflammatory and apoptosis-related markers. Whether inflammation is a primaryphenomenon in KCS or is the consequence of repetitive abrasion of the ocular surface after tear film deficiency remains to be determined. However, Immune-based inflammation is able to interconnect and negatively reinforce these different pathological mechanisms resulting in a vicious circle.