Part 2 – Dry Eyes Due to Health Conditions
“Health Conditions that Cause Dry Eyes” is our second post and a continuation of Part 1: Why Do Dry Eyes Occur? Dry eyes can occur in as much as 50% of the population. In Dry Eyes – Part 2, we will discuss the health-related causes of dry eyes.
Dry Eyes Due to Aging
People over the age of 50 are more likely to experience dry eyes. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction tends to get worse with age, which is one of the primary health conditions that cause dry eyes.
Seasonal Allergies & Dry Eyes
If you suffer from seasonal allergies one of your symptoms may be itchy dry eyes. Read more on this in our Eye Allergies Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments article. Dry eye syndrome can make symptoms of ocular allergies worse.
Pregnancy/Menopause
Women are more likely to develop dry eyes, especially post-menopausal women who experience the condition more so than men of the same age. Changes in hormones during or after pregnancy may also trigger dry eye problems.
Medications that Cause Dry Eyes
There are a number of prescription and non-prescription medications that can cause dry eyes and that you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about including:
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Decongestants
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Anxiety Medication
- Some Blood Pressure Medication
- Oral Contraceptives
Diseases that Can Cause Dry Eyes
Diseases are also common health conditions that cause dry eyes. Diseases can affect your body’s ability to make tears and as a result, cause dry eye symptoms. These include:
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Collagen vascular diseases
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Diabetes
- Thyroid Disorders
- Vitamin A Deficiency
If left untreated, dry eyes can cause inflammation and potentially permanent damage to the surface of your eye. It can also lead to corneal ulcers. Early detection is the best prevention and dry eye symptoms are not always present. That’s why our Markham optometrists perform a dry eye test during your eye exam. We can then determine the best treatment options for your condition.
In Part 3, our third and final post, we’ll discuss specific environmental and activity based causes of dry eyes.
Need to Ask a Question about Dry Eyes?
Call our Markham dry eye clinic at 1-905-477-4488 if you still have questions about health conditions that cause dry eyes. You can also make an appointment online with Dr. Krista, Dr. Mark, or Dr. David Innamorato.
Unionville Optometry now offers Lipiflow treatment for dry eyes in conjunction with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. You will also find more information on our Dry Eye Clinic page.