Causes

Dry Eye Disease results from insufficient tear production, poor tear quality or typically, a combination of the two.

A healthy tear film has three layers—oil, water, and mucus. Imbalance in any layer can lead to dryness.

Key risk factors include:

Age & Hormones: Tear production naturally decreases with age; menopause and hormonal changes can accelerate the process.
Environment: Mountain air, low humidity, wind, smoke, and air conditioning all speed tear evaporation.
Screen time: Prolonged computer or phone use reduces blink rate, causing tears to evaporate more quickly.
Medical conditions: Autoimmune disorders (such as Sjögren’s syndrome), diabetes, thyroid disease, and eyelid problems.
Medications: Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and some acne treatments.
Contact lenses or refractive surgery: Long-term contact wear or procedures like LASIK can destabilize the tear film.

Possible causes include:

Water layer insufficiency: The lacrimal gland that produces the aqueous layer(water) that makes up the bulk of your tears may not be functioning properly
Oil layer insufficiency: The oily component of your tear film protects your tears from evaporating between blinks; however, your oil glands may not be functioning adequately
Inflammation: Inflammation is involved with all forms of dry eye, but some people have significant inflammation driven by systemic disease or lifestyle factors
Bacteria: Bacteria formed on the eyelid margin can result in inflammation that disrupts the tearfilm
Mites: Tiny mites known as demodex are commonly found in the eyelid margins and can contribute to inflammation
Eyelid Function: If eyelids do not blink fully or seal completely at night it can contribute to dry eyes
Environment: Screen use and air quality can be a major factor contributing to dry eyes
Systemic: Inflammation driven by autoimmune disease, diet, or lack of sleep can be a major factor in dry eyes
Allergies: Ocular allergies often make dry eyes worse and dry eyes can make your eyes more sensitive to allergens

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.