Top 5 Causes of Dry Eye

At Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville, our team of trained optometry professionals has years of experience identifying and addressing the root causes of dry eye. There are many potential causes for this condition. Once the root cause of your dry eyes has been determined, we will recommend treatment accordingly. Following are the five most common causes of dry eye.

Aging

Dry eyes can affect people of all ages, but the condition becomes more common the older you get. Dry eyes commonly affect people over the age of 50 because tear production decreases with age.

Medication

Tears consist of oil, water, and mucus. Certain medications can decrease mucus production and lead to chronic dry eye. These medications include antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers used to treat hypertension.

Computer Use

Some people spend most of their workdays staring at a computer screen, leading to eyestrain and tension headaches. On top of these problems, staring at a computer often can also affect your tear production. This is because we blink a lot less often when staring at the computer screen, causing tears to evaporate more quickly and contributing to dry eyes. We recommend looking away from the computer screen about every 20 minutes and repeatedly blinking to keep your eyes lubricated.

Autoimmune Conditions

Many autoimmune conditions including arthritis, lupus, and diabetes, can lead to inadequate or insufficient tear production. Diagnosing and treating the underlying disease or condition can help improve dry eye symptoms. Diabetes involves managing your blood sugar with healthy lifestyle habits, diet, and medication.

Glaucoma 

Many glaucoma patients experience dry eyes. One reason for this association is that the occurrence of both glaucoma and dry eye increases with age.

Optometry Services in Clarksville

If you are suffering from dry eye, the optometry professionals at Sites Vision Clinic are ready to assist you. We are trained and equipped with all of the necessary tools to diagnose and treat any eye conditions which might be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam, including dry eye and glaucoma. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (931) 614-0028.