Medical Conditions Linked to Dry Eye Disease
Conditions that are not commonly known to be linked to dry eye disease.
7/15/20251 min read
A few systemic conditions that increase risk of dry eye disease and manifestations of other
ocular conditions.
- Sjogrens syndrome
o Pathophysiology
Lymphocytic infiltration to exocrine glands including lacrimal and salivary
glands.
o Ocular Manifestations
Filamentary Keratitis
Corneal ulceration or scarring secondary to severe dry eye
- Rheumatoid arthritis
o Pathophysiology
Systemic inflammation of synovial joints, may also affect uvea, sclera, and
cornea
o Ocular manifestations
Scleritis
Scleromalacia perforans
Episcleritis
Uveitis
Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
o Pathophysiology
Inflammation triggered by abnormal immune system activation
o Ocular manifestations
Scleritis
Episcleritis
Uveitis
Optic Neuritis
Retinal Vasculitis
Lupus Retinopathy
Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Choroidopathy
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
o Etiology
ANCA-associated vasculitis
o Pathophysiology
Necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of small to medium sized
vessels
o Ocular manifestations
Scleritis
Episcleritis
Uveitis
Orbital Pseudotumor
Retinal Vasculitis
Optic Neuropathy
Ischemic Cranial Neuropathies
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
- Polyarteritis nodosa
o Pathophysiology
Necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of medium-sized vessels
o Ocular manifestations
Scleritis
Episcleritis
Optic Neuropathy
Retinal Artery Occlusion
Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Systemic sclerosis
o Pathophysiology
Multisystem fibrosis, excessive collagen deposition
o Ocular Manifestations
Dry eye disease secondary to fibrosis of lacrimal glands
Blepharophimosis - eyelid tightening also secondary to fibrosis
Decreased blinking
Lagophthalmos
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
o Pathophysiology
Cholestasis: reduced bile flow, increasing concentration of bile in liver
and bloodstream
o Ocular Manifestations
Xanthelasma
Ocular Pruitus
Nyctalopia
Advanced liver disease - vitamin A deficiency
Compiled by Midwestern Intern c/o 2026 Miriam Freeman
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