What Are The Top 5 Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a very common condition. Your eyes are lubricated by tears and when your eyes are not able to produce enough tears to keep them moist, the condition that results in dry eye. Your eyes may feel very uncomfortable, they may burn or sting.

If you are from the Sandy Springs area and you’re concerned you may have dry eye, then make an appointment with an optometrist at Eye 1st Vision Center. These are a few common causes of dry eye.

Aging: It isn't bad enough that aging causes wrinkles and sagging, it can also cause dry eye. It is a natural part of the aging process for many people who are over the age of 65. It is believed that more than 50 million Americans who are 50 years or older suffer from the symptoms of dry eye.

Sex: It is just a fact that women are more likely to develop dry eye than men are. Hormonal changes that can occur during pregnancy, as well as menopause, can cause the condition but hormone therapy is also to blame.

Medical conditions: Several medical conditions can cause a reduction in the number of tears produced. Those diseases include:

• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Thyroid disease

Medications: Several medical conditions require medications that have as one of their side effects dry eye. Medications that can cause dry eye include:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Blood pressure medications
• Antidepressants

Your environment: The environment that you live and function in can have a big effect on the condition of your eyes. Not only do weather conditions have a big impact, but what you do for a living can cause your eyes to dry out. If you live in the desert or an area of high winds, it can dry out your eyes. Staring at a computer screen for hours at a time without blinking can cause you to develop dry eye as well.

If you are feeling the symptoms of dry eye, then give the optometry office of Eye 1st Vision Center in Sandy Springs GA a call. We can help with a proper diagnosis and discuss treatment options available.