The risk of the dry eye disease increases with old age, female gender, collagen vascular disease, antihistamines, postmenopausal estrogen treatment, refractive surgery of cornea, hepatitis c, androgen insufficiency, irradiation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, vitamin a deficiency, medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics, beta-blockers and diabetes mellitus

People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause.
Here are some other causes of dry eye.
• Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
• Blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red)
• Entropion (when eyelids turn in); ectropion (eyelids turn outward)
• Being in smoke, wind or a very dry climate
• Looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading and other activities that reduce blinking
• Using contact lenses for a long time
• Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK
• Taking certain medicines, such as:
o Diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure
o Beta-blockers, for heart problems or high blood pressure
o Allergy and cold medicines (antihistamines)
o Sleeping pills
o Anxiety and antidepressant medicines
o Heartburn medicines
Tell your ophthalmologist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take.