Why does dry eye occur?

Generally, dry eye is caused by a tear deficit (low production or excessive evaporation) or because it is of poor quality due to problems such as meibomian gland dysfunction (lack or alteration of the lipids that make up the tear) or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid). In addition, it is usually associated with different degrees of inflammation.

The causes that cause it are very diverse and can occur in isolation or several of them come together. The main risk factors for dry eye include the following:

- Hormonal (adolescence/menopause)
- Advanced age
- Use of contact lenses
- Consumption of antidepressant and antihistamine drugs (for allergies)
- Treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Having undergone eye surgery
- Environmental factors (air conditioning, heating, dry or highly polluted environments...)
- Diet (vitamin deficiency)
- Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia...)