Autoimmune

•  - Environment
•  - Inflammation
•  - Blepharitis
•  - Age
•  - Evaporation
•  - Hormonal flux
•  - Denervation
•  - Contact lenses
•  - Menopause
•  - LASIK
•  * Autoimmune
•  - Basement Membrane Dystrophy

Autoimmune: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic ("lymphocyte": white blood cell originating in the lymph system) infiltration of the lacrimal and salivary glands. Three criteria are required for diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome: dry eye, dry mouth, and the presence of some other autoimmune disease. Ten-percent of chronic dry eye patients show symptoms of Sjogren's while a much larger percentage show some element of autoimmune disease.