Nutrition and the eye Dry eye and the role of nutrition

which either decreases tear production or increases tear evaporation (Figure 1). Increased tear osmolarity is the link between changes in the lacrimal glands and lids, and disease of the ocular surface. Studies of pre-clinical models of lacrimal gland disease and meibomian gland dysfunction show that the ocular surface changes of dry eye disease are dependent upon and proportional to increases in tear film osmolarity. Clinical studies corroborate these findings. Decreased tear secretion may result from any condition which damages the lacrimal gland or its excretory ducts. Autoimmune disease with inflammation of the tear gland is the most common cause. Less common causes include cicatricial ocular surface conditions. Tear secretion also may be decreased by any condition that decreases