Sympathetic control of tear secretion and the pathogenesis of dry eye
- rani mizrahi
- Oct 29
- 1 min read
Published in Nature Communications
Understanding the mechanisms controlling tear secretion is essential for dealing with dry eye syndrome. This study sheds new light on the role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which, contrary to current understanding, is not merely marginal, but constitutes a critical "gatekeeper" in regulating secretion. It was found that activation of the sympathetic nerves reduces the amount of tears by activating the α1a receptor in gland cells, which affects mitochondrial function. Blocking this pathway - by pharmacological means (e.g., using the drugs silodosin and tamsulosin), genetic or surgical - increased tear production and reduced corneal damage in mouse models of dry eye. These findings open the door to new treatment approaches that target the sympathetic nervous system as a therapeutic target in dry eye diseases.
