What Are the Causes of Extreme Dry Eyes in 60-Year-Old Women?

Dry eyes is the most common patient complaint heard by eye doctors. The condition affects approximately 33 million Americans of all age groups. In addition to dryness, symptoms include grittiness, irritation, burning, and surprisingly, watering or tearing. Dry eye syndrome is seen more commonly in women than in men. A variety of causes for dry eyes exist.

Hormonal Changes

• According to optometrist Dr. Janet Cushing, the majority of people she sees for dry eyes are post-menopausal women. The fact that dry eye syndrome, or DES, is more common in women than men led researchers to believe its cause was hormonal. Originally it was thought that decreased estrogen was the culprit. Recent findings have linked the condition to decreased androgen production. Androgens are hormones present in both sexes. In women, it is produced by the ovaries. Consequently, when the ovaries stop functioning, androgen levels fall and tear production is reduced.

Aging

• As the eyes age, they produce approximately 40 percent less lubrication. Not only does tear production decrease, but the composition of the tears also changes. The tear film covering the eye consists of three layers. The outermost layer is an oily material that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. With advanced age, the glands responsible for producing this lipid layer function less efficiently. Dry eye syndrome is widespread among individuals who are 40 years of age or older.

Sjogren's Syndrome

• Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the fluid secreting cells responsible for lubrication. Dry eyes, mouth, skin, joints and brittle nails may also occur. Fatigue and a high incidence of tooth decay is common. The condition afflicts approximately 4 million American women and is considered the most misdiagnosed health condition in women over the age of 40. Other less common immunological disorders also may cause dry eye syndrome.

Medications

• As you age, the likelihood that you will require medications on a regular basis also increases. Dry eyes is a common side effect of some medications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme---or ACE---inhibitors, diuretics, antihistamines, decongestants, sleeping pills, some antidepressants and opium-based painkillers may all cause dry eye symptoms. People are often unaware of the correlation that exists between dry eyes and common medications. Provide your eye doctor with a list of your medications so that he may determine if any of them are the possible cause of your extremely dry eyes.

Additional Causes

• Environmental factors such as sun, wind, dry climates and hot air all speed the drying of tears. Certain activities that interfere with blink rate may also contribute to dry eye syndrome. Such activities include reading, writing, working on the computer and driving. Many individuals experience eye dryness following refractive eye surgery. Despite the cause, severe dry eyes should be treated to reduce the risk of developing infections, inflammation and corneal scratching and scarring.