Abstract : Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic, multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis, ocular symptoms, and structural as well as functional alterations of the corneal and conjunctival epithelium. Increasing evidence indicates that chronic ocular surface inflammation represents a central element in the pathogenesis of DED, acting both as an initiating factor and a mechanism sustaining disease progression. This inflammatory process is closely associated with tear film hyperosmolarity, activation of innate and adaptive immune responses, and neurosensory abnormalities. Recent comprehensive reviews emphasize inflammation as a unifying mechanism linking tear film instability, immune activation, and neurosensory dysfunction across different subtypes of dry eye disease. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of current knowledge regarding inflammatory mechanisms involved in dry eye disease, with particular emphasis on molecular and cellular inflammatory pathways, clinically relevant biomarkers, disease phenotyping, and contemporary as well as emerging anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies. The review is based on a targeted analysis of the literature published from 2020 onward and focuses on practical implications for the diagnosis and management of patients with dry eye disease. Improved understanding of inflammatory mechanisms in dry eye disease has direct clinical relevance, enabling earlier identification of patients who may benefit from targeted anti-inflammatory therapy and supporting a more individualized, mechanism-based approach to disease management.