The most common causes, or exacerbating factors, of dry eye are:
- The maturation process: tear production normally decreases with age.
- Contact lens wear.
- Exposure to heat and air conditioning.
- Environmental: wind, cold, smoke, dry weather, high altitude, etc.
- Environmental allergies: such as hay fever, pollen, dust, mold, animals, etc.
- Medications: such as antihistamines, decongestants, 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 watch television, read (i.e., your cell phone and other handheld devices, computers, documents, magazines, newspapers, books, etc.), drive (operate a motor vehicle).
- History of Accutane use, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, ocular rosacea, history of styes and/or chalazia
- Food allergies
