Dry eye happens when:

  • Your eyes don’t produce enough tears.
  • Your tears evaporate too quickly.
  • Both of these happen together.

Many different factors can make you more likely to develop dry eye disease or have symptoms that get worse over time.

Risk factors for dry eye disease

Some risks you can’t control. For example, the older you get, the more likely you are to develop dry eye. But other risks you may be able to manage through lifestyle changes or adjustments to your medications.

Talk to your provider if you have any of the risk factors listed below. You may be able to make some changes to lower your risk for dry eye or lessen bothersome symptoms.

  • Environment and lifestyle factors: Things like the weather, how much time you spend looking at screens, contact lens use, smoking or allergies can increase your risk of dry eye.
  • Medications: Taking certain medications can increase your risk of dry eye, including some that treat depression, allergies, blood pressure, glaucoma, menopause and pain. Anticholinergics, oral contraceptives and systemic retinoids can increase your risk as well.
  • Medical conditions: Many different neurological conditions, eye conditions, autoimmune conditions and endocrine conditions can raise your risk of dry eye.
  • Surgeries: Some eye surgeries increase your risk of dry eye, including LASIK, cataract surgery and surgery on your cornea.