Blepharitis can often cause Dry Eye symptoms due to inflammation of the eye lid margins, which is caused by a bacterial infection (Staphylococci). This condition can compromise the quality of the tear film causing tears to evaporate more quickly. The bacteria produce waste material that can cause a mild toxic reaction leading to chronic red, irritated eyes. Click Blepharitis for treatment. LASIK surgery temporarily disrupts the ocular surface/lacrimal gland unit. This condition usually eventually clears up. Diseases that may be associated with Dry Eyes include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), Asthma, Thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), Lupus, and possibly Glaucoma. Age - Tear volume decreases as much as 60% by age 65 from that at age 18. Dry Eye Syndrome affects 75% of people over age 65. Hormonal changes for women can cause decreased tear production brought on by pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, and post menopause. Dust, Pollen, and Tobacco - When tear production decreases, dust and pollen stay in the eye longer and are more likely to stimulate an allergic response. In addition, anything that makes an eye more irritated, including Dry Eye, will make an eye more sensitive to environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke. Other - Too much coffee drinking, smoking, wearing contact lenses, air-conditioning or heat.
