Which is a potential cause of neurogenic KCS?

Neurogenic KCS, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is primarily caused by a dysfunction in the nerves that stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce tears. Idiopathic causes refer to those situations where the exact cause of the condition is unknown. In neurogenic KCS, the lack of stimulation to the lacrimal glands can be due to an issue with the neural pathways responsible for tear production. This can occur due to various neurological conditions or injuries impacting these pathways.

While other factors like allergies, environmental changes, and systemic diseases may contribute to other forms of KCS, they do not directly influence the neural mechanisms involved in tear production. Consequently, idiopathic causes are significant because if no other cause can be attributed to the loss of nerve function/dysfunction, it is classified as idiopathic, making this a critical element in understanding neurogenic KCS.