Medications and Systemic Conditions That Cause Dry Eye

Dry Eye Disease is a very common problem in people who take certain medications or have been diagnosed with some medical conditions. It is even more prevalent in areas with certain environmental factors like dry and hot weather. Working in Laredo for the last 3 years has shown me that almost everyone has some signs or symptoms of dry eyes, allergies, or a systemic condition that puts you at risk for dry eye in the future.


In fact, most people will develop some form of dry eye by the time they are 60 years old. So what causes dry eyes in a place like Laredo, Texas?


First of all, it is hot and dry in Laredo. This causes evaporation of our tears from our eyes. When you have the A/C and fans blasting while driving, at work, or even just at home, we are causing further evaporation of those tears.


Secondly, many of us take medications to help with our allergies or other medical conditions. Anti-allergy, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications are well known for causing things like dry mouth but also dry eyes. So if you are taking these medications, it is important to get treatment to avoid severe dry eye symptoms in the future.


Third, there is a large population that suffers from conditions such as diabetes, skin conditions like Rosacea, or rheumatological conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sjogrens, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Gout, and many other inflammatory diseases that lead to dry eye by attacking the lacrimal gland which is what produces our tears.


It is extremely important to get a dry eye examination as soon as you are diagnosed with any of these diseases in order to prevent dry eye symptoms before it is too late. Lastly, one of the main factors for developing dry eyes is aging. As we age, we collect more bacteria, we develop diseases, and we start to notice changes in our collagen and other intrinsic factors that lead to changes in the eyelids, eyelashes, eyes, as well as the cellular makeup of things like our tears and more.


Don’t let dry eye symptoms develop before you get your first dry eye consultation. At Punto Focal, we integrate a dry eye screening into every exam so we can catch dry eye before it catches you!


Next Up: Anti-Aging For Your Eyes