SOURCE: All about Vision
- Computer use — We blink less when we’re on our digital devices and computers all day!
- Contact lens wear —
- Aging — older than 50
- Menopause — Post-menopausal women
- Indoor environment — Air conditioning, ceiling fans and forced air heating systems all can decrease indoor humidity and/or hasten tear evaporation,
- Outdoor environment — Arid climate in New Mexico increase dry eye risks.
- Frequent flying — The air in the cabins of airplanes is extremely dry and can lead to dry eye problems, especially among frequent flyers.
- Smoking — In addition to dry eyes, smoking has been linked to serious eye problems, including macular degeneration, cataracts and uveitis.
- Health conditions — Certain systemic diseases — such as diabetes, thyroid-associated diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome —
- Medications — Many prescription and nonprescription medicines — including antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications and birth control pills, increase the risk of dry eye symptoms. The greater the NUMBER of medications also increase the risk of dry eye.
- Eyelid problems — Incomplete closure of the eyelids when blinking or sleeping — a condition called lagophthalmos, which can be caused by aging or occur after cosmetic blepharoplasty or other causes — can cause severe dry eyes that can lead to a corneal ulcer if left untreated.
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, P.C. 