Decreased lacrimal gland secretion leads to insufficient tear production, causing dry keratoconjunctivitis, which is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat.

bubble_chart Etiology

1. Primary: Caused by diseases of the lacrimal gland itself. Any disease that leads to atrophy of the lacrimal gland can result in reduced tear secretion, such as senile atrophy of the lacrimal gland, Sjögren's syndrome, Mikulicz's syndrome, etc.

2. Congenital: Congenital absence of the lacrimal gland.

3. Paralytic: Paralysis of the facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, or sympathetic nerve that innervates the lacrimal gland. Particularly, trauma or alcohol injection into the greater superficial petrosal nerve can block the lacrimation reflex and terminate tear secretion.

4. Toxic: Diseases accompanied by toxemia, such as high fever, cold-damage disease, acute intestinal pestilence, as well as direct damage to lacrimal gland secretory cells (e.g., atropine poisoning or food poisoning), may lead to reduced tear secretion.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

The increase in sticky secretions leads to dryness on the upper and lower surfaces, with thick mucus adhering to the epithelium, causing pain when blinking due to the pulling on the epithelial surface. Epithelial shedding can result in filamentary keratitis and may also be complicated by corneal infiltration.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Generally, it only alleviates symptoms, but the effects are not very satisfactory.

1. Commonly used artificial tears, such as methylcellulose, liquid paraffin, boric acid solution, etc.

2. Parasympathomimetic agents: suitable for mild cases.

3. Cauterize the lacrimal punctum to seal it, keeping the conjunctival sac moist.