A method for treatment of irritation or damage to conical or conjunctival epithelial cells, particularly for irritation or damage to corneal or conjunctival epithelial cells due to severe Sjögren's syndrome, by applying topically to an affected eye an aqueous solution of glycerol characterized by a glycerol concentration of >；1% (w/v), most preferably 2.5% (w/v). The method is effective even in the case of very low tear formation, and its effectiveness cannot be explained by the known humectant effect of glycerol.
