What are some factors that can contribute to dry eyes?
There are many factors that can cause the front of the eye to be inadequately lubricated. Normally when you blink, the tears are distributed across the cornea (the clear tissue which covers the colored part of your eye) to bathe and nourish it. This keeps the cornea comfortable and healthy, allowing old cells to slough off and new cells to grow. The first factor linked to dry eye is aging. As you age, the glands that produce the tears (the Lacrimal and Meibomian glands, along with Goblet cells) decrease in function. Second, many medications, including birth control pills, anti-histamines, and high blood pressure medications, can cause dry eyes. Next, seasonal allergies can dry the eyes out as well. Also, anyone who smokes cigarettes or who is exposed to second-hand smoke may suffer from dry eyes. Contact lenses can cause dry eyes by increasing lubricating demands on the tears as they absorb water, and/or disturb the natural tear flow across the eye. Excessive computer use is another cu
