Why Dry Eye Occurs — 14 Medical Causes Explained

Dry eye occurs due to reduced tear production, rapid tear evaporation, or poor-quality tears. Common causes include prolonged screen use, ageing, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), environmental factors, contact lenses, hormonal changes, medications, and autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders or Sjögren’s syndrome.

Dry eye disease is one of the most frequently diagnosed ocular conditions worldwide. At I-Sight Eye Care, we often see patients who are unsure why their eyes feel dry, gritty, or irritated.

Understanding the cause is the first step toward effective treatment.

1. Prolonged Screen Time (Digital Eye Strain)

When staring at screens, the blink rate drops from 15–18 blinks/min to as low as 3–4 blinks/min. This leads to:

• Faster tear evaporation

• Increased dryness

• Visual fatigue

• Burning sensation

Digital eye strain is the #1 cause of dry eye in working professionals.

2. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

The Meibomian glands produce the oily layer of the tear film.When these glands are:

• Blocked

• Inflamed

• Damaged

…the tears evaporate too quickly.

Untreated MGD can lead to chronic evaporative dry eye.

3. Ageing

Tear glands naturally become less active with age.Dry eye is especially common:

• After age 45

• In menopausal women

• In elderly patients

  
  

4. Hormonal Changes (Menopause & Pregnancy)

Oestrogen and androgen fluctuations impact tear production.This explains why dry eye is more common in:

• Pregnant women

• Post-menopausal women

• Thyroid disorder patients

  
  

5. Contact Lens Use

Lenses absorb the tear film, causing:

• Friction

• Redness

• Dryness

• Intolerance

Long-term contact lens wearers often develop contact lens-induced dry eye.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Dry eye is strongly associated with:

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Lupus

• Thyroid disorders (hypo/hyperthyroidism)

These require regular ocular surface evaluation.

7. Allergic Eye Disease

Chronic allergies cause inflammation, rubbing, and irritation—all of which destabilize the tear film.

Antihistamines can also worsen dryness.

8. Environmental Conditions

You may experience dryness in:

• Air-conditioned rooms

• Heavily polluted areas

• Dry climates

• High altitude regions

• Dusty environments

Mumbai’s coastal humidity helps slightly, but indoor AC exposure is a major trigger.

9. Incomplete Blinking

Common during:

• Reading

• Driving

• Office work

• Using mobile phones

Incomplete blinking leads to poor tear distribution.

10. Medications

Several medicines reduce tear production:

• Antihistamines

• Antidepressants

• Acne medications (isotretinoin)

• Blood pressure medicines

• Thyroid medications

• Diuretics

If symptoms worsen after starting a prescription, evaluation is important.

11. Post-LASIK Dry Eye

Temporary dryness after LASIK is common due to corneal nerve healing.Most patients improve within 3–6 months.

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12. Vitamin A Deficiency

Although less common, Vitamin A deficiency can cause:

• Dryness

• Corneal scarring

• Night blindness

  
  

13. Reduced Tear Quality

Tears consist of:

• Mucin layer

• Aqueous layer

• Lipid (oily) layer

Deficiency in any layer leads to dryness.

14. Eyelid Problems

Conditions like:

• Blepharitis

• Entropion

• Ectropion

• Lid laxity

…disrupt normal lubrication and may require surgical correction.

🧪 How We Evaluate Dry Eye at I-Sight Eye Care

We use advanced diagnostic tools:

• Tear Film Break-Up Time (TBUT)

• Meibography for gland health

• Ocular surface staining

• Schirmer’s test

• HD corneal imaging

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🏁 Conclusion

Dry eye is caused by a combination of lifestyle, nearby glands, health conditions, and environmental factors. Identifying the cause is the key to long-term relief.

📞 CTA

If you experience persistent dryness, burning, or fluctuating vision, book a comprehensive dry eye evaluation at I-Sight Eye Care:👉 https://www.eyesurgeonmumbai.com/consult

❓ FAQs

1. Can dry eye be cured permanently?

Depends on the cause—MGD and autoimmune conditions require long-term management.

2. Why does my dry eye get worse at night?

Tear production reduces during sleep; exposure can worsen symptoms.

3. Do screen filters help with dry eye?

They reduce strain but do not treat the underlying dryness.