What causes Chronic Dry Eye?
Chronic irritation of the surface of the eye can eventually cause a disruption in the normal tear-producing system, including the lacrimal gland. This can result in a declining production and quantity of tears. High risk factors for Chronic Dry Eye include those individuals with health factors such as hormonal changes associated with aging and menopause, auto-immune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Medical conditions, such as diabetes or blocked tear ducts, also can contribute to its onset.
Although we don’t know for sure why women are more likely to develop chronic dry eye, we suspect it has to do with hormones. As women age, their production of the male hormone, testosterone, drops (the same is true for men, though levels usually remain higher than in women). Known as “the libido hormone”-the hormone that affects sexual desire-testosterone also plays a critical role in maintaining the tear-making lacrimal gland. As testosterone levels drop, levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines rise. Once the lacrimal gland is inflamed, it slows the release of tears. Other hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy and autoimmune diseases and medical conditions such as arthritis, lupus, Sjgren’s syndrome and diabetes can also cause chronic dry eye. Other things that can cause dry eye or make symptoms worse are: • dry indoor air • contact lenses • car air vents aimed at your face • medications, including some high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, he
According to the Healthy Women web site, menopausal women are more likely to develop chronic dry eye. As women age, their production of testosterone drops (the same is true for men, though levels usually remain higher than in women). Known as the libido hormone”the hormone that affects sexual desiretestosterone also plays a critical role in maintaining the tear-making lachrymal gland which becomes inflamed and slows the release of tears. Other hormonal changes also cause dry eye, such as those associated with pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, and medical conditions, including: Parkinsons disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjgren’s syndrome and diabetes. Other things that make dry eye symptoms worse are: dry indoor air, contact lenses, car air vents aimed at your face, working on a computer, vitamin A deficiency, medications [some high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, pain relievers, and hormone/estrogen thera
Research has shown that Chronic Dry Eye can be the result of a functional problem in the tear-producing glands of the eyes. This not only reduces tear production, but creates an insufficient amount of tears to lubricate or nourish the eye. It’s important to remember that while environmental factors can further aggravate Chronic Dry Eye, they are not the cause. One cause of Chronic Dry Eye can be the body’s reduced ability to produce tears.
