Dry Eye Risk Factors

Dry Eye Disease/Syndrome (DED) is an important disorder in light of the current lifestyle practices that cause considerable eye strain.

It is a multifactorial disease of the interpalpebral ocular surface and tears film that leads to discomfort, fatigue, and disturbance in vision.

DED affects patients’ quality of life and leads eventually to a decrease in productivity. Moreover, it has a considerable socioeconomic burden. It is a growing underdiagnosed health issue and the possible associated risk factors are very common and keep growing worldwide.

Dry Eye Risk Factors

• Indoor environment — Air conditioning, ceiling fans, and forced-air heating systems all can decrease indoor humidity and/or hasten tear evaporation, causing dry eye symptoms.
• Outdoor environment — Arid climates and dry or windy conditions increase dry eye risks.
• Frequent flying — The air in the cabins of airplanes is extremely dry and can lead to dry eye problems, especially among frequent flyers.
• Smoking — In addition to dry eyes, smoking has been linked to serious eye problems, including macular degeneration, cataracts, and uveitis.
• Health conditions — Certain systemic diseases — such as diabetes, thyroid-associated diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome — contribute to dry eye problems.
• Medications — Many prescription and non-prescription medicines — including antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications, and birth control pills — increase the risk of dry eye symptoms.
• Eyelid problems — Incomplete closure of the eyelids when blinking or sleeping — a condition called lagophthalmos, which can be caused by aging or occur after cosmetic blepharoplasty or other causes — can cause severe dry eyes that can lead to a corneal ulcer if left untreated.

Also, LASIK and other corneal refractive surgery can sometimes cause dry eyes. In most cases, however, dry eye discomfort after LASIK is temporary and resolves within a few weeks of the procedure.

Whatever the cause of dry eye might be, proper diagnosis and treatment should be a must to fight off the disease properly.

Shinagawa now diagnoses dry eye disease! Schedule an eye check-up for us to examine your eyes and see if you have dry eye disease. Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 | (+63) 917 862 7454 | (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries and appointments.