Name: Luminance Vision Optometry
Address: 3444 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA, 94549
Telephone: 925-900-8977

Dry Eye Risk Factors

We understand how difficult life can be when you are suffering from the symptoms of dry eye disease. When irritation occurs, we recommend a comprehensive eye exam to assess your symptoms.

Eye exams always begin with a health history. When you are suffering from dry eye, this information becomes especially important. We will ask you questions about your lifestyle and your environment to rule out any serious eye conditions.

We’ll assess your risk factors and determine the likely cause of your dry eye disease. Get started on the path to relief today—book your appointment at Luminance Vision’s Dry Eye Center.

Dry Eye Risk Factors

Some people are at a greater risk of developing dry eye than others. If you fit into the following categories, you may be more likely to suffer from dry eye disease:

Age: Dry eye occurs naturally as we age. Most people over the age of 65 will experience symptoms of dry eye.

Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eye due to hormonal changes brought on by menopause, pregnancy, and birth control.

Medications: A number of medications can decrease tear production leading to dry eye, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants.

Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjorgren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can increase your risk for dry eyes. So can diabetes and thyroid conditions.

Contact lens use: Contact lenses can interfere with the distribution of tears over the eyes, although your optometrist can recommend specialty contacts if you have dry eyes.

Laser eye surgery: Laser eye surgery like LASIK can interfere with tear production, although this side effect is often temporary.

What Causes Dry Eye?

There are 2 main underlying issues responsible for dry eye disease—aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye.

Aqueous Deficiency

When your eyes do not produce enough tears, it is often caused by aqueous deficiency. This type of dry eye disease is the least common cause accounting for only about a tenth of cases.

Evaporative Dry Eye

We rarely think about our tears, but they are what keep our eyes comfortable. When something is wrong, we suddenly begin to notice them.

The tear film is made up of 3 distinct layers, a mucus layer to keep the tear in contact with the eye, a water layer to keep the eye hydrated, and an oil layer to keeps the water from evaporating. If any of the 3 layers are out of balance, evaporative dry eye is the result.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

People with evaporative dry eye may also have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands are the tiny glands along the top and bottom edges of the eyelids that produce the oil layer of the tear film.

If the glands are blocked or otherwise unable to produce oil, your tears might dry up before they can fully moisturize the eye.

Find Relief Today

Dry eye is one of the most common eye conditions people face worldwide. With so many contributing factors, we need to learn about you and your eyes in order to provide a unique, customized treatment plan.

Get the care you deserve by booking appointment with our team today!