XEROPTHALMIA

Dry eyes. Also, called conjunctivitis arida. Xeropthalmia can be associated with systemic diseases (such as Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, and others) or deficiency of vitamin A. Xeropthalmia results from inadequate function of the lacrimal glands which supply water to produce tears.