What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Aging is a common reason for the loss of tear flow. As one ages the cells that produce the natural tears in the eye gradually lose their ability to deliver the normal amount of secretions to keep the eye porperly moist.
Several diseases can cause or be associated with dry eyes such as rheumatoid arthritis and collagen vascular diseases.
Sjogren’s syndrome is a disease consisting of dry mouth, dry eyes and rheumatoid arthritis
Certain medications can cause dry eyes such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants
Environmental conditions can have an effect on dry eyes such as dry or low humidity in the air and/or windy conditions
Commercial buildings with low humidity due to the air conditioning running constantly at a low temperature setting can make dry eye symptoms worse
Staring at computers, reading, TV, and other job duties decrease blinking leading to dry eyes while performing those activities
Ceiling fans can increase the evaporation of the tears off the eye
Anatomical problems with the structure or shape of the eyelid such as the eyelid turning out from the eye can cause the eye to dry out
Bell’s Palsy (the eyelids are unable to close or cause poor blinking) can cause the eye to dry out
Contact lens wear can contribute to problems with dry eyes and many people have to discontinue wearing contact lenses due to dry eyes
Diseases such as Parkinson’s cause decrease blinking leading to dry eyes
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