Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections can cause inflammation of the meibomian glands and other ocular tissue. This can lead to symptoms of Dry Eye, such as burning, tearing, and redness. Chronic infections can disrupt tear production and cause inflammation of the lacrimal and meibomian glands, leading to chronic Dry Eye.
Infections can also lead to frothy or soapy tears, known as saponification. Frothy tears degrade the protective oily layer of the tear film, leading to evaporative dry eye.
References
A new approach for better comprehension of diseases of the ocular surface
Baudouin C.
Journal français d’ophtalmologie
2007 Mar;30(3):239-46.
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Lid margin disease: Incidence, etiology, and diagnosis
Perry HD.
ASCRS EyeWorld
http://eyeworld.org/ewsupplementarticle.php?id=314