Dry eye is not contagious. It is a condition that occurs in some people. The prevalence of dry eye increases with age and is more common in women. Risk factors include:

• Use of certain medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants and long-term use of glaucoma drops

• Autoimmune inflammatory diseases

• Contact lens wear 

• LASIK and refractive surgery

• Menopause

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sjogren’s syndrome  

For those destined to develop dry eye disease, there is currently no known way to prevent the disease. However, there are recommended ways to alleviate the symptoms to avoid drying out eyes such as:

• Using a home air filter, especially in cities with air pollution 

• Using a home humidifier 

• Limiting use of fans and hair dryers

• Avoiding smoke

• Wearing protective eyewear

• Blinking more frequently

• Using artificial tears

The lack of correlation between clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye disease makes diagnosing and treating patients a challenge. Oftentimes, inflammation is present before the clinical signs of dry eye. Tests to measure tear volume, tear quality and elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 can help diagnose dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease may require an extensive treatment plan and continuous therapy. Various dry eye disease treatment plans are available, based on the discretion of a medical professional. Treatments options can include:

• Over-the-counter artificial tears, gels, and ointments

• Topical anti-inflammatory therapy, such as cyclosporine, corticosteroids and azithromycin 

• Oral anti-inflammatory medications, such as doxycycline

• Oral omega-3 supplements

• Punctal plugs

References

1. Papas EB. The global prevalence of dry eye disease: A Bayesian view. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021;41(6):1254-1266. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12888

2. Schiffman RM, Walt JG, Jacobsen G, et al. Utility assessment among patients with dry eye disease. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(7):1412-1419. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(03)00462-7

Recommended reading

• https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye

• https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/dry-eye-disease