Causes Of Dry Eye

While seniors or the elderly may be the most common group to report dryness of the eyes, Dry Eye may be experienced by anyone, regardless of age. Nearly 5 million Americans 50 years of age and older suffer from dry eye. Dry eye is more common after menopause, women are twice as likely as men to suffer this condition.

Causes Of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a broad term and refers to a variety of different conditions that result in dryness of the eyes. This makes diagnosing the cause of a particular case of dry eye challenging to say the least. Additionally, Dry Eye can easily be mistaken for other conditions, including eye infections and allergies. For a proper diagnosis of your condition and to develop a treatment plan, it's best to see your opthalmologist or eye care professional.

Below are some of the more common causes of Dry Eye. It is common for a variety of causes to contribute to Dry Eye.

• Aging



• Hormonal changes, including menopause



• Environmental factors



• Autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren's



• Certain types of medications



• Long-term contact lens wear



• LASIK and other refractive surgeries



• Reduced blinking



• Other health conditions

Prevention Of Dry Eye

While there is no known cure for Dry Eye taking some of the following steps may help prevent or provide relief from acute cases of Dry Eye.

• Quit smoking and/or avoid smokers



• Reduce the amount of air that blows into your eyes (e.g., hair dryers and car heaters)



• Wear glasses on windy days and goggles while swimming



• Monitor indoor humidity and add a humidifier as needed



• Take breaks from extended activities, such as reading or working at a computer, to rest the eyes



• Eat a healthy diet that includes Omega-3 fatty acids