Symptoms of dry eye and risk factors
Symptoms of dry eye and risk factors
Marjorie has described some of the most common symptoms of dry eye, a common chronic condition that is estimated to affect between 5% and 33% of the adult population worldwide.1 There are several reasons why dry eye may occur; for example, if someone doesn't produce enough tears, or if they produce poor quality tears. This tear instability leads to inflammation and damage of the eye's surface.2
Click on the hotspots to reveal the common symptoms and risk factors for dry eye.
Common symptoms of dry eye2, 3- Dryness
- Irritation or discomfort
- A stinging, burning, itchy or gritty sensation
- Intermittent blurring of vision and eye fatigue
- Watery eyes
- Redness of the eyelids or conjunctiva
- Photosensitivity
- Stringy mucus in or around the eye
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses / with night time driving
Age - symptoms of dry eye increase with age, especially over 50
Gender - women tend to display more dry eye symptoms
Ethnicity - people of Asian origin have a higher risk
Contact lens use - dry eye is up to four times more prevalent in contact lens wearers
Screen and device use - people tend to blink less when using screens and devices, which leads to faster tear evaporation
Environmental factors - air pollution, windy conditions, low humidity and high altitude
Certain medicines - such as retinoids, topical ophthalmic medications (especially those containing preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride), oral contraceptives, antihistamines, beta-blockers, anticholinergics and some psychotropics6
Medical conditions associated with dry eye - including rosacea, psoriasis, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, menopause, lymphoma, chronic viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis C, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or Bell's palsy7
Reflection point
What would you usually recommend when a customer comes in with dry eye?