Keratoconjunctivitis sicca pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pathophysiology

Having dry eyes for a while can lead to tiny abrasions on the surface of the eyes.^[1] In advanced cases, the epithelium undergoes pathologic changes, namely squamous metaplasia and loss of goblet cells. Some severe cases result in thickening of the corneal surface,^[1] corneal erosion, punctate keratopathy, epithelial defects, corneal ulceration (sterile and infected), corneal neovascularization, corneal scarring,^[1] corneal thinning, and even corneal perforation.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 “Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca”. The Merck Manual, Home Edition. Merck & Co., Inc. 2003-02-01. Retrieved 2006-11-12.

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[Merck-1-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 “Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca”. The Merck Manual, Home Edition. Merck & Co., Inc. 2003-02-01. Retrieved 2006-11-12.

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