Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the ocular surface, causing symptoms like dryness, burning, and fatigue. It is associated with conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and contact lens use, which activate inflammatory pathways like MAPK and NF-κB, leading to macrophage and T cell activation and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to manage symptoms, and this review discusses the mechanisms of dry eye inflammation and anti-inflammatory therapies. Dry eye involves inflammatory cells and factors, including macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells, which contribute to inflammation. Inflammatory pathways such as MAPK, NF-κB, and TGF-β are involved in the disease process. Inflammation in dry eye can lead to damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and activate pattern recognition receptors like TLR4, promoting corneal proteolytic enzymes and disrupting the corneal barrier. Inflammation also affects blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, with systemic diseases like Sjögren's syndrome and diabetes contributing to chronic inflammation. Dry eye is associated with factors such as diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, sex hormones, and contact lenses. These factors influence the tear film, corneal nerve function, and meibomian gland function, leading to dry eye symptoms. Anti-inflammatory treatments for dry eye include cyclosporine, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, autologous serum, and other therapies. Cyclosporine reduces inflammation by inhibiting T-cell proliferation, while corticosteroids and NSAIDs reduce inflammatory cytokines and improve tear film stability. Antibiotics like azithromycin and doxycycline can improve meibomian gland function. Autologous serum promotes corneal epithelial repair, and other therapies such as meibomian gland massage, hot compress, and IPL therapy can alleviate symptoms. In conclusion, dry eye is a complex condition involving multiple inflammatory pathways and factors. Anti-inflammatory treatments, including cyclosporine, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and other therapies, are effective in managing symptoms and improving tear film stability. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment regimens and developing new drugs for dry eye management.Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the ocular surface, causing symptoms like dryness, burning, and fatigue. It is associated with conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and contact lens use, which activate inflammatory pathways like MAPK and NF-κB, leading to macrophage and T cell activation and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to manage symptoms, and this review discusses the mechanisms of dry eye inflammation and anti-inflammatory therapies. Dry eye involves inflammatory cells and factors, including macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells, which contribute to inflammation. Inflammatory pathways such as MAPK, NF-κB, and TGF-β are involved in the disease process. Inflammation in dry eye can lead to damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and activate pattern recognition receptors like TLR4, promoting corneal proteolytic enzymes and disrupting the corneal barrier. Inflammation also affects blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, with systemic diseases like Sjögren's syndrome and diabetes contributing to chronic inflammation. Dry eye is associated with factors such as diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, sex hormones, and contact lenses. These factors influence the tear film, corneal nerve function, and meibomian gland function, leading to dry eye symptoms. Anti-inflammatory treatments for dry eye include cyclosporine, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, autologous serum, and other therapies. Cyclosporine reduces inflammation by inhibiting T-cell proliferation, while corticosteroids and NSAIDs reduce inflammatory cytokines and improve tear film stability. Antibiotics like azithromycin and doxycycline can improve meibomian gland function. Autologous serum promotes corneal epithelial repair, and other therapies such as meibomian gland massage, hot compress, and IPL therapy can alleviate symptoms. In conclusion, dry eye is a complex condition involving multiple inflammatory pathways and factors. Anti-inflammatory treatments, including cyclosporine, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and other therapies, are effective in managing symptoms and improving tear film stability. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment regimens and developing new drugs for dry eye management.