Abstract: Depression and dry eye are both major social and public health problems that endanger the physiological and psychological health of patients, and they are mutually causative, forming a vicious circle. Inflammation and autonomic dysfunction may be the co-morbid mechanisms of depression and dry eye. Depression-associated dry eye is a chronic pain associated with depression, or dry eye itself is a somatised symptom in depressed patients. Antidepressants can exacerbate or even induce dry eyes. A series of ocular surface irritation symptoms brought about by dry eyes can also cause bad mood in patients. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2024, 48:   310-315)

Key words: depression, dry eye