Dry eyes

Causes & Prevention

What are the Causes of Dry Eyes?

There are many different causes for dry eye syndrome:

  • Aging: As we grow older, our bodies produce less oil – 60% less at age 65 then at age 18. This is more pronounced in women, who tend to have drier skin then men. The oil deficiency also affects the tear film. Without as much oil to seal the watery layer, the tear film evaporates much faster, leaving dry areas on the cornea.

Avoiding the most common causes of allergies is the first step in prevention

Because there are no cures for allergies, it is important to know the most common triggers for allergies caused by indoor and outdoor air, triggers for allergies involving the eyes and skin, for food and drug allergies, for insect, and latex allergies.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.

Lung Association Warning: Fragrance Seriously Threatens Indoor Air Quality

According to the Lung Association, scents can cause serious health problems for people, especially for people with lung diseases like asthma or COPD. Being near a scented product- perfume, scented candles, or even scented laundry detergent- can make some people sick.