Aetiology

Dry eye syndrome is usually caused by

• decreased tear production
  • in older patients
  • in post menopausal women
  • in autoimmune diseases e.g. - Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis
• excessive tear evaporation
  • environmental factors e.g. - central heating, dry climate, air pollution
  • reduced blinking e .g - driving, watching TV, and computer work
  • diseases such as rosacea, blepharitis, and
• abnormality in the production of mucus or lipids of tear layer
  • MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) – causes abnormal production of lipids (1)

Reference:

• (1) Phadatare SP et al. A Comprehensive Review on Dry Eye Disease: Diagnosis, Medical Management, Recent Developments, and Future Challenges.  Advances in Pharmaceutics 2015, Article ID 704946