The most common causes, or exacerbating factors, of dry eye are:
- The maturation process; tear production normally decreases with age
- Contact lens wear
- Heat and air conditioning
- Environmental: wind, cold, smoke, dry weather, high altitude, etc.
- Environmental allergies: such as hayfever, pollen, dust, animals, etc.
- Medications: such as antihistamines, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, blood pressure medications, etc.
- Medical conditions such as rosacea, diabetes, collagen vascular, rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, etc.
- Hormonal changes
- The number of hours/day you read (i.e. your cell phone and other handheld devices, computers, documents, magazines, newspapers, books, etc.)
- History of Accutane use, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, ocular rosacea, history of styes and/or chalazia
- Food allergies
