Dry eye disease caused by viral infection: Past, present and future

Abstract

Following viral infection, the innate immune system senses viral products, such as viral nucleic acids, to activate innate defence pathways, leading to inflammation and apoptosis, control of cell proliferation, and consequently, threat to the whole body. The ocular surface is exposed to the external environment and extremely vulnerable to viral infection. Several studies have revealed that viral infection can induce inflammation of the ocular surface and reduce tear secretion of the lacrimal gland (LG), consequently triggering ocular morphological and functional changes and resulting in dry eye disease (DED). Understanding the mechanisms of DED caused by viral infection and its potential therapeutic strategies are crucial for clinical interventional advances in DED. This review summarizes the roles of viral infection in the pathogenesis of DED, applicable diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and potential regions of future studies.

Recommendations for nutritional supplements for dry eye disease: current advances

“…Recent research highlights the significant roles of nutritional deficiencies ( Castrejón-Morales et al, 2020 ; Chakraborty and Chandra, 2021 ; Jain et al, 2022 ; Markoulli et al, 2023 ), inflammation ( Wu et al, 2024 ), and oxidative stress ( Li et al, 2022a ) in DED’s pathogenesis. With the rising awareness of oxidative stress and its impact on visual function, many Researchers are exploring the potential benefits of antioxidant therapy through nutrient supplementation.…”