Nonimmune inflammation can cause dry eye by destroying glands or scarring ducts.
Sources of inflammation:
(1) bacterial infection
(2) fungal infection
(3) viral infection
(4) sterile inflammation without evidence of an immune disorder
Inflammation may affect:
(1) aqueous glands (lacrimoadenitis)
(2) lipid glands (blepharitis)
(3) mucinic glands
(4) ducts (with interrupted tear flow)
Clinical features:
(1) The patient may require specific chemotherapy or other drug therapy.
(2) Inflammation may be acute or chronic.
(3) Destruction of glandular tissue may be permanent, with persistent dry eye.
(4) Stenosis of lacrimal ducts may be amenable to correction.
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Specialty: Ophthalmology, Immunology/Rheumatology
