Traditional Chinese Medicine Alleviates Dry Eye Disease by Regulating Tear Film Homeostasis： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251218
- VernacularTitle:中药调控泪膜稳态缓解干眼的研究进展
- Author:
Sainan TIAN
1
;
Bin'an WANG
1
;
Yao CHEN
1
;
Guicheng LIU
1
;
Li TANG
2
;
Pei LIU
1
;
Genyan QIN
1
;
Jun PENG
2
;
Qinghua PENG
1
Author Information
1. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 401208，China
2. The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 401007， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
dry eye disease;
tear film homeostasis imbalance;
traditional Chinese medicine;
review
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(7):172-181
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Dry eye （DE） is a prevalent multifactorial disease of the ocular surface， clinically characterized by tear film homeostasis imbalance accompanied by related ocular surface symptoms. Specifically， the tear film is a thin liquid layer of tears covering the cornea and conjunctiva through blinking， while tear film homeostasis serves as the foundation for maintaining normal ocular surface structure and function. Insufficient tear secretion and excessive tear film evaporation lead to tear hyperosmolarity and the production of inflammatory mediators， disrupting tear film homeostasis and subsequently forming DE. Additionally， cascade reactions are triggered， resulting in a "vicious cycle of DE" that exacerbates the disease severity and prolongs its duration. Therefore， for DE treatment， it is crucial to restore tear film homeostasis and terminate this vicious cycle. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， which differentiates and treats DE based on systemic conditions， often achieves favorable therapeutic outcomes， offering additional treatment options for DE. Studies have demonstrated that TCM can alleviate DE by regulating tear film homeostasis and terminating the vicious cycle. This review systematically summarizes recent basic experimental research in China and abroad on TCM in alleviating DE by regulating tear film homeostasis， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and an insight for research design.
