Understanding Dry Eye Disease

Around 16 million Americans have been officially diagnosed with dry eye disease. However, studies show that as many as 30 million people in the U.S. may be living with symptoms. Worldwide, dry eye affects anywhere from 5% to 50% of people, with the highest rates seen in Asian countries. These statistics show just how common this condition truly is.

Your chances of getting dry eye go up as you age. Nearly 30% of people over age 65 experience this condition. Women develop dry eye about twice as often as men. This risk increases most dramatically after menopause, when hormone changes directly affect how the eyes produce and maintain tears.

Spending long hours looking at computers, phones, and tablets is now a leading cause of dry eye. When you focus on screens, you blink less than half as often as normal. The blinks you do make are also less complete. This combination leads to faster tear loss and an unstable tear layer on your eye surface, resulting in dryness and strain.

Where you live and work can trigger or make dry eye worse. Several environmental factors increase your risk:

• Dry indoor air from heating systems or air conditioning
• Exposure to wind, smoke, dust, or chemical fumes
• Jobs that require constant visual focus or time in climate-controlled spaces
• Living in dry or windy climates

Schedule an appointment if you have ongoing symptoms like burning, grittiness, redness, watery eyes, or blurred vision for more than a few days. Getting checked early helps you receive an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our ophthalmologists at ReFocus Eye Health Marlton can perform a thorough evaluation to determine the best approach for your specific situation.

Yes. When dry eye goes untreated, ongoing inflammation can damage your eye surface and the glands that make tears. This creates a cycle where symptoms become more severe. Over time, this can lead to corneal damage, scarring, and in rare cases, lasting vision problems.

Your diet plays a role in eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts help reduce inflammation and improve the oil quality in your tears. Vitamins A and C from leafy greens and citrus fruits support the health of your eye surface. Drinking enough water throughout the day is also essential for proper tear production.

Allergies can make dry eye worse in two ways. First, the allergic reaction causes inflammation that disrupts your tear film. Second, many allergy medications have a drying effect that reduces tear production. Using prescription eye drops designed for allergies instead of only oral medications can often provide better relief.

Keeping your eyelids clean is a key part of managing dry eye, especially if you have blepharitis or blocked oil glands. Gently cleaning your eyelids daily and using warm compresses helps open the tiny oil glands along your lash line. This improves your tear quality and prevents the tears from evaporating too quickly.

Treatment options continue to advance. Recent developments include prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops, tear-stimulating nasal sprays, and advanced in-office procedures. At ReFocus Eye Health Marlton, our multispecialty team has access to cutting-edge technology such as intense pulsed light therapy to improve oil gland function and other innovative treatments that may be right for your condition.

Many people experience mask-related dry eye. This happens when your breath escapes upward and flows over your eyes. This disrupts your tear film and speeds up evaporation. Making sure your mask fits snugly across the bridge of your nose helps redirect airflow downward and reduces this problem.