alacrima (redirected from congenital alacrima)

a·lac·ri·ma (-lkr-m)

n.

Hereditary or congenital deficiency or absence of tear secretion.

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alacrima

a deficiency or absence of secretion of tears.

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congenital alacrima

a rare condition occurring mainly in toy breeds of dogs.

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alacrima 

Absence of secretion from the lacrimal gland. However, the typical picture is one of reduced tear secretion more correctly termed hypolacrima. It may occur as a result of occlusion of the orifices of the lacrimal gland due to trauma, cicatrization, diseases (e.g. trachoma); it may be congenital (e.g. Riley-Day syndrome) or it may be due to a neurogenic cause (secondary to brain damage) or to a systemic disease (e.g. Sjögren's syndrome). Treatment includes artificial tears, bland ointments, sealed scleral contact lenses and, in very severe cases, tarsorrhaphy. See keratoconjunctivitis sicca.