Medical: People with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid problems are more likely to have dry eyes. Many eye conditions can also cause dry eye.

Medication: Antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants can reduce tear production.

Environmental: Exposure to smoke, wind, and dry climates can evaporate tears more quickly, resulting in dry eye. Long-term use of computers and other screens can as well.

Gender-related: Women are more likely to develop dry eye due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, oral contraceptives and menopause.

Age-related: Dry eyes are part of the natural aging process, and the majority of people over age 65 will experience some symptoms.

Other: Long-term use of contact lenses, as well as eye surgeries, can decrease tear production.

Dry eye can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam from one of our highly trained doctors.

Our TearLab system helps us determine the exact concentration of tears your eyes each provide. We take a sample of your tears from each eye and measure how salty your tears are. The higher the concentration of salt, the more damage can occur to your eyes through dry eye.

The amount of tears collected is no larger than the period at the end of this sentence.

We also have special testing for Sjogren’s syndrome, and have special instrumentation that allows us
to see how inflamed the eye is, and what the specific cause may be.

Your doctor will create a custom treatment plan for you, and on your return visits will continue to test your tears at the TearLab to determine how treatment is going.