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Who’s At Risk for Dry Eye Syndrome?

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Most people who have chronic dry eye symptoms experience mild irritation with no long-term effects. However, if dry eye syndrome is left untreated or becomes severe, dry eyes can produce complications leading to eye damage, impaired vision, and/or loss of vision.

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Who Gets Dry Eye Syndrome?

You may be prone to have chronic dry eye syndrome if you:

  • Are older than 50. Tear production tends to diminish as you get older. Dry eyes are common in people older than 50.
  • Are a postmenopausal woman. A lack of tears is more common among women, especially after menopause. This may be due, in part, to hormonal changes.
  • Have a medical condition that reduces your tear production. Dry eyes are also associated with some medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders (Graves Disease), and vitamin A deficiency.
  • Have had LASIK eye surgery. Refractive eye surgeries such as laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) also may cause decreased tear production and dry eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes related to these procedures are usually temporary.
  • Have tear gland damage. Damage to the tear glands from inflammation or radiation can hamper tear production (as in blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction).
  • Eat a diet that is too low in vitamin A. Vitamin A – which is found in liver, carrots and broccoli, among other foods – is essential for good eye health.
  • Eat a diet that is too low in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids – which are found in fish, walnuts and vegetable oils, among other foods – is important for proper tear composition.
  • Take medications. Medications that can cause dry eyes include:
    • Certain types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as central-acting agents and diuretics
    • Antihistamines and decongestants
    • Birth control pills
    • Certain antidepressants
    • Pain relievers
    • Drugs for the treatment of acne
  • Live in windy, high altitude, or dry conditions.
  • Do concentrated work that creates eye strain and stress, like computer work.

References For Dry Eye Syndrome

1.  The definition and classification of dry eye disease: report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007 Apr;5(2):75-92. [PubMed]
2.  Huang R, Su C, Fang L, Lu J, Chen J, Ding Y. Dry eye syndrome: comprehensive etiologies and recent clinical trials. Int Ophthalmol. 2022 Oct;42(10):3253-3272. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
3.  Craig JP, Nichols KK, Akpek EK, Caffery B, Dua HS, Joo CK, Liu Z, Nelson JD, Nichols JJ, Tsubota K, Stapleton F. TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):276-283. [PubMed]
4.  King-Smith PE, Fink BA, Hill RM, Koelling KW, Tiffany JM. The thickness of the tear film. Curr Eye Res. 2004 Oct-Nov;29(4-5):357-68. [PubMed]
5.  King-Smith PE, Fink BA, Fogt N, Nichols KK, Hill RM, Wilson GS. The thickness of the human precorneal tear film: evidence from reflection spectra. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000 Oct;41(11):3348-59. [PubMed]
6.  Chen Q, Wang J, Tao A, Shen M, Jiao S, Lu F. Ultrahigh-resolution measurement by optical coherence tomography of dynamic tear film changes on contact lenses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Apr;51(4):1988-93. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
7.  Willcox MDP, Argüeso P, Georgiev GA, Holopainen JM, Laurie GW, Millar TJ, Papas EB, Rolland JP, Schmidt TA, Stahl U, Suarez T, Subbaraman LN, Uçakhan OÖ, Jones L. TFOS DEWS II Tear Film Report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):366-403. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
8.  Peng CC, Cerretani C, Braun RJ, Radke CJ. Evaporation-driven instability of the precorneal tear film. Adv Colloid Interface Sci. 2014 Apr;206:250-64. [PubMed]
9.  Zhou L, Beuerman RW. Tear analysis in ocular surface diseases. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012 Nov;31(6):527-50. [PubMed]
10.  Mantelli F, Mauris J, Argüeso P. The ocular surface epithelial barrier and other mechanisms of mucosal protection: from allergy to infectious diseases. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Oct;13(5):563-8. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
11.  O’Neil EC, Henderson M, Massaro-Giordano M, Bunya VY. Advances in dry eye disease treatment. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2019 May;30(3):166-178. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
12.  Fjaervoll K, Fjaervoll H, Magno M, Nøland ST, Dartt DA, Vehof J, Utheim TP. Review on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms underlying visual display terminal-associated dry eye disease. Acta Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec;100(8):861-877. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
13.  Craig JP, Nelson JD, Azar DT, Belmonte C, Bron AJ, Chauhan SK, de Paiva CS, Gomes JAP, Hammitt KM, Jones L, Nichols JJ, Nichols KK, Novack GD, Stapleton FJ, Willcox MDP, Wolffsohn JS, Sullivan DA. TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary. Ocul Surf. 2017 Oct;15(4):802-812. [PubMed]
14.  Qian L, Wei W. Identified risk factors for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0271267. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
15.  I Y Hasan ZA. Dry eye syndrome risk factors: A systemic review. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2021 Apr-Jun;35(2):131-139. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
16.  Paulsen AJ, Cruickshanks KJ, Fischer ME, Huang GH, Klein BE, Klein R, Dalton DS. Dry eye in the beaver dam offspring study: prevalence, risk factors, and health-related quality of life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;157(4):799-806. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
17.  Chang CJ, Somohano K, Zemsky C, Uhlemann AC, Liebmann J, Cioffi GA, Al-Aswad LA, Lynch SV, Winn BJ. Topical Glaucoma Therapy Is Associated With Alterations of the Ocular Surface Microbiome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022 Aug 02;63(9):32. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
18.  Andole S, Senthil S. Ocular Surface Disease and Anti-Glaucoma Medications: Various features, Diagnosis, and Management Guidelines. Semin Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb;38(2):158-166. [PubMed]
19.  Sobolewska B, Schaller M, Zierhut M. Rosacea and Dry Eye Disease. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2022 Apr 03;30(3):570-579. [PubMed]
20.  Bilgic AA, Kocabeyoglu S, Dikmetas O, Tan C, Karakaya J, Irkec M. Influence of video display terminal use and meibomian gland dysfunction on the ocular surface and tear neuromediators. Int Ophthalmol. 2023 May;43(5):1537-1544. [PubMed]

Testimonial

"I am 6 months post LASIK. I was diagnosed with dry eyes and MGD. My eyes are red, inflamed with mucus. I can not begin to tell you how much Theralife has made a difference for my eyes! I'm still currently using 3-4 capsules twice daily, along with fish oil, warm compresses and daily eye hygiene with lid scrubs. My eyes have been feeling great! Thank you so much for caring. " Sincerely, Elise, , United States *Results may vary

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