What is a common risk factor associated with dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial condition that affects the health of the eye's surface and the quality of tear film. Each of the factors listed—age, gender, and smoking—plays a significant role in increasing the risk for developing dry eye syndrome.

Age is a well-documented risk factor due to changes in tear production and blink reflex with advancing years. As individuals age, the lacrimal glands may produce fewer tears, while the meibomian glands, responsible for producing the oily layer of tears, may also become less efficient. This results in increased evaporation of tears and subsequently contributes to dry eye symptoms.

Gender is also a crucial factor, as research shows that women are more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome than men. This susceptibility is often attributed to hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, pregnancy, or menstruation, which can affect tear production and composition.

Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for various ocular conditions, including dry eye. Smokers may experience increased ocular surface inflammation and oxidative stress, which can disrupt the normal functioning of the tear film and exacerbate symptoms of dryness.

Given that all these factors—age, gender, and smoking—are established contributors to the likelihood of developing dry eye syndrome, the choice indicating