India, June 11 -- Most of us have been there. After a long day of scrolling, working on a laptop, or binge-watching a favorite show, our eyes feel dry, irritated, or tired. The smartphone usually gets the blame.
But while screen time can contribute to eye discomfort, specialists increasingly recognize that dry eye disease is often influenced by several factors that have little to do with how much time you spend looking at a screen (1).
Several Hidden Factors That May Be Contributing To Dry Eyes:
1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Can Affect Tear Stability
Tiny Meibomian glands located along the eyelids produce an oily layer that helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
When these glands do not function properly, the tear film can become unstable, leaving the eyes feeling dry, gritty, or irritated. Many people assume they simply are not producing enough tears, but the problem may actually involve tears evaporating faster than they should.
2. Certain Medications May Leave Eyes Feeling Drier
The source of eye discomfort may sometimes be found in the medicine cabinet.
Certain medications have been associated with dry eye symptoms, including:
Allergy medications
Antidepressants
Acne treatments
Some blood pressure medications
Viral weight-loss
Someone who starts a new medication may notice subtle changes in eye comfort without immediately connecting the two.
These findings suggest that dry eyes are not always caused by environmental factors alone. Everyday treatments can sometimes influence how the eyes maintain moisture (2).
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3. Hormonal Changes And Menopause May Influence Eye Comfort
Hormones play an important role in maintaining a healthy tear film.
Changes associated with menopause and other hormonal shifts can affect the quality and stability of tears. This may help explain why some women notice increasing eye dryness as they get older, even when their daily routines have not changed significantly.
4. Air Conditioning, Pollution, And Low Humidity Can Irritate The Eyes
The environment around us can have a surprisingly large impact on eye comfort.
Common environmental triggers include:
Air-conditioned offices
Low-humidity indoor spaces
Air travel
Dust and pollution
Windy outdoor conditions
Someone who feels comfortable at home may find their eyes becoming noticeably drier during a daily commute or a full day at work.
Environmental exposure is increasingly recognized as an important piece of the dry eye puzzle.
5. Contact Lens Wear Can Contribute To Dry Eye Symptoms
Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to glasses, but they may also affect how the eye surface interacts with tears.
Some people notice increasing discomfort toward the end of the day, especially when lenses are worn for long periods or in dry environments. Maintaining proper lens hygiene and following recommended wear schedules can help support eye comfort.
6. Diabetes And Other Systemic Conditions Can Affect Eye Health
Dry eyes can sometimes be connected to broader systemic conditions that influence eye health.
Diabetes and certain other health conditions may affect the quality of tears and the health of the eye surface. While eye dryness alone does not indicate a medical condition, persistent symptoms may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional (3).
7. Autoimmune Diseases Can Sometimes Affect Tear Production
Persistent dry eyes can occasionally be linked to underlying autoimmune diseases.
Conditions associated with dry eye symptoms include:
Sjogren's syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Healthy living tips
For some people, eye dryness may be one of several symptoms that prompts a closer look at their overall health.
While most cases of dry eye are not caused by autoimmune disease, experts increasingly view persistent symptoms as something that should not always be dismissed as a minor inconvenience (4).
Dry eyes can be frustrating because the symptoms often appear similar regardless of the underlying cause. Two people may experience the same irritation, yet the reasons behind their discomfort could be completely different.
Rather than simply blaming screens, researchers are beginning to understand dry eye as a condition shaped by a combination of environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, medications, and overall health. Looking beyond screen time may help people identify factors that are easier to address than they realise.
Small changes in daily habits can sometimes make a meaningful difference to eye comfort and well-being. Paying attention to persistent symptoms and seeking appropriate advice may help you better understand what your eyes are trying to tell you.