TNF and Keratoconjunctivitis sicca: Yeh et al. demonstrated that pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1, increase apoptosis of ocular surface epithelial cells in a dry eyes and the punctate epithelial erosion that is observed in the cornea and conjunctiva of patients with dry eye disease may be attributed to the sloughing of apoptotic epithelial cells [37].