What are the risk factors for dry eye?
Tear production normally decreases as we age. Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause.
Other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Eye surgery (such as LASIK or for cataracts)
- Exposure to environmental irritants (e.g., prolonged exposure to wind, sleeping with a fan on at night, low humidity, frequent air travel)
- Ocular surface diseases
A wide variety of common medications - both prescription and over-the-counter - can also cause dry eye by reducing tear secretion. Be sure to tell your ophthalmologist, Eye M.D., the names of all the medications you are taking, especially if you are using diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, sleeping pills, medications for "nerves," or pain relievers.
People with dry eye are often more prone to the toxic side effects of eye medications, including artificial tears. These people may need special preservative-free artificial tears.
