Dry Eye Cascade

Dry eye is the result of any number of unrelated causes or
conditions. Some of the most common factors that contribute
to dry eye include:

• Dry environment
• Aging
• Hormonal changes
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain types of medications
• Contact lens wear

Regardless of the cause, all dry eye patients
have in common abnormal or insufficient tears.
This leads to reduced tear clearance, increased
osmolarity, ocular surface irritation, and the infiltration
and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The end
result is inflammation.

Once inflammation starts, damage can occur to ocular structures
that perpetuate and intensify a cycle of signs, symptoms and further
inflammation.