Dry Eye Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAbout DESHow Common Is DES?By EthnicityBy Age and GenderCauses and Risk FactorsScreeningSummaryNext in Dry Eye Syndrome GuideAn Overview of Dry Eye Syndrome

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

About DES

How Common Is DES?

By Ethnicity

By Age and Gender

Causes and Risk Factors

Screening

Summary

Next in Dry Eye Syndrome Guide

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a condition that makes your eyes feel uncomfortable due to a lack of tears to lubricate your eyes. Dry eye syndrome is a common problem that affects at least an estimated 1 in 20 Americans, or more than 16 million people in the United States.

In a 2016 survey, close to 9 out of 10 eye care health professionals felt that increased screen time has contributed to a rise in DES, especially in younger people.Here are some important facts and statistics about dry eye syndrome.

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Person rubbing eyes while working on laptop computer

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes do not get enough moisture from your tears. Your eyes can become red, inflamed, and uncomfortable. DES can also affect how well you see.

Dry eye syndrome causes symptoms, including:

What Causes Dry Eyes All of a Sudden Without a Previous History?

How Common Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Experts estimated that more than 16 million Americans had dry eye syndrome in 2016, which equals about 1 in every 20 people.Some researchers believe the number is significantly higher, and it may be closer to 24 million people.

One reason for the increase may be how much time people spend on digital devices. One study found that at least half of those who use digital media experience DES.

There is some conflicting information about ethnicity and the incidence of dry eye syndrome. A 2017 study found no significant difference in diagnosed DES in a sample of Asian, Black, Hispanic and White Americans.

But that study noted that previous studies in Asia found a higher prevalence of dry eye syndrome in people in Asia, so this may mean that DES is being underdiagnosed in Asian Americans.

A large 12-year study published in 2019 reported an increase in the incidence of DES, which had tripled between 2005 and 2012. The study also found that:

Females are almost twice as likely as males to be diagnosed with DES.This may be linked to hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause that cause dry eye.

Causes and Risk Factors for Dry Eye

Factors that can increase your chances of developing dry eye syndrome include:

Sjögren’s Disease and Dry EyeSjögren’s disease (formerly called Sjögren’s syndrome) is an autoimmune disorder whose principal symptoms are dry eye and dry mouth. It’s usually found in people over age 40 and affects 10 times as many females as males. An estimated 4 million people in the United States have this disorder.Lifestyle changes and medications, including immunosuppressants, can help with symptoms.

Sjögren’s Disease and Dry Eye

Sjögren’s disease (formerly called Sjögren’s syndrome) is an autoimmune disorder whose principal symptoms are dry eye and dry mouth. It’s usually found in people over age 40 and affects 10 times as many females as males. An estimated 4 million people in the United States have this disorder.Lifestyle changes and medications, including immunosuppressants, can help with symptoms.

Screening and Early Detection for Dry Eye

There are no screening guidelines for dry eye, but if your eyes feel itchy or tired, see a healthcare professional specializing in vision. They can:

If you have dry eye, your healthcare professional can advise you ontreatmentand whether your condition needs to be monitored. In some cases,surgerycan help dry eye.

Complications

Severe cases can result in permanent loss of vision. Some experts have theorized that DES can cause sleep and mood disorders,migraines,and changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Dry eye syndrome is an increasingly common condition in the United States. Dry eye symptoms are itchiness, redness, stinging, and blurry vision. Causes of dry eye include certain autoimmune diseases, some medications, lack of Vitamin A, digital device use, or dry environments.

The likelihood of having dry eye increases with age. Females are more likely to have dry eye than males. In severe cases, dry eye can damage the cornea if not treated. See a healthcare provider specializing in vision if your eyes feel dry and tired.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Reza D, Bradley JL, Guerin A, et al.Estimated prevalence and incidence of dry eye disease based on coding analysis of a large, all-age United States healthcare system.American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2019;202:47-54. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2019.01.026National eyeC.A.R.E Survey.Modern technology and a multi-screen lifestyle viewed as important factors in rising prevalence of dry eye disease.National Eye Institute.Dry eye.Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.American Journal of Ophthalmology.2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Auffret É, Gomart G, Bourcier T, et al.Digital eye strain. Symptoms, prevalence, pathophysiology, and management.J Fr Ophtalmol.2021;44(10):1605-1610. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2020.10.002National Eye Institute.Causes of dry eye.American Optometric Association.Dry eye.Sjögren’s Foundation.Quick facts.Sjögren’s Foundation.Understanding Sjögren’s.Szakáts I, Sebestyén M, Németh J, Birkás E, Purebl G.The role of health anxiety and depressive symptoms in dry eye disease.Curr Eye Res.2016;41(8):1044-1049. doi:10.3109/02713683.2015.1088955.Baksh BS, Garcia JC, Galor A.Exploring the link between dry eye and migraine: from eye to brain.Eye Brain. 2021;13:41-57. doi:10.2147/EB.S234073.Choi HR, Lee JH, Lee HK, Song JS, Kim HC.Association between dyslipidemia and dry eye syndrome among the Korean middle-aged population.Cornea. 2020;39(2):161-167. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002133

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Reza D, Bradley JL, Guerin A, et al.Estimated prevalence and incidence of dry eye disease based on coding analysis of a large, all-age United States healthcare system.American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2019;202:47-54. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2019.01.026National eyeC.A.R.E Survey.Modern technology and a multi-screen lifestyle viewed as important factors in rising prevalence of dry eye disease.National Eye Institute.Dry eye.Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.American Journal of Ophthalmology.2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Auffret É, Gomart G, Bourcier T, et al.Digital eye strain. Symptoms, prevalence, pathophysiology, and management.J Fr Ophtalmol.2021;44(10):1605-1610. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2020.10.002National Eye Institute.Causes of dry eye.American Optometric Association.Dry eye.Sjögren’s Foundation.Quick facts.Sjögren’s Foundation.Understanding Sjögren’s.Szakáts I, Sebestyén M, Németh J, Birkás E, Purebl G.The role of health anxiety and depressive symptoms in dry eye disease.Curr Eye Res.2016;41(8):1044-1049. doi:10.3109/02713683.2015.1088955.Baksh BS, Garcia JC, Galor A.Exploring the link between dry eye and migraine: from eye to brain.Eye Brain. 2021;13:41-57. doi:10.2147/EB.S234073.Choi HR, Lee JH, Lee HK, Song JS, Kim HC.Association between dyslipidemia and dry eye syndrome among the Korean middle-aged population.Cornea. 2020;39(2):161-167. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002133

Reza D, Bradley JL, Guerin A, et al.Estimated prevalence and incidence of dry eye disease based on coding analysis of a large, all-age United States healthcare system.American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2019;202:47-54. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2019.01.026National eyeC.A.R.E Survey.Modern technology and a multi-screen lifestyle viewed as important factors in rising prevalence of dry eye disease.National Eye Institute.Dry eye.Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.American Journal of Ophthalmology.2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Auffret É, Gomart G, Bourcier T, et al.Digital eye strain. Symptoms, prevalence, pathophysiology, and management.J Fr Ophtalmol.2021;44(10):1605-1610. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2020.10.002National Eye Institute.Causes of dry eye.American Optometric Association.Dry eye.Sjögren’s Foundation.Quick facts.Sjögren’s Foundation.Understanding Sjögren’s.Szakáts I, Sebestyén M, Németh J, Birkás E, Purebl G.The role of health anxiety and depressive symptoms in dry eye disease.Curr Eye Res.2016;41(8):1044-1049. doi:10.3109/02713683.2015.1088955.Baksh BS, Garcia JC, Galor A.Exploring the link between dry eye and migraine: from eye to brain.Eye Brain. 2021;13:41-57. doi:10.2147/EB.S234073.Choi HR, Lee JH, Lee HK, Song JS, Kim HC.Association between dyslipidemia and dry eye syndrome among the Korean middle-aged population.Cornea. 2020;39(2):161-167. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002133

National eyeC.A.R.E Survey.Modern technology and a multi-screen lifestyle viewed as important factors in rising prevalence of dry eye disease.

National Eye Institute.Dry eye.

Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.American Journal of Ophthalmology.2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033

Auffret É, Gomart G, Bourcier T, et al.Digital eye strain. Symptoms, prevalence, pathophysiology, and management.J Fr Ophtalmol.2021;44(10):1605-1610. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2020.10.002

National Eye Institute.Causes of dry eye.

American Optometric Association.Dry eye.

Sjögren’s Foundation.Quick facts.

Sjögren’s Foundation.Understanding Sjögren’s.

Szakáts I, Sebestyén M, Németh J, Birkás E, Purebl G.The role of health anxiety and depressive symptoms in dry eye disease.Curr Eye Res.2016;41(8):1044-1049. doi:10.3109/02713683.2015.1088955.

Baksh BS, Garcia JC, Galor A.Exploring the link between dry eye and migraine: from eye to brain.Eye Brain. 2021;13:41-57. doi:10.2147/EB.S234073.

Choi HR, Lee JH, Lee HK, Song JS, Kim HC.Association between dyslipidemia and dry eye syndrome among the Korean middle-aged population.Cornea. 2020;39(2):161-167. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002133

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?#

How Common Is Dry Eye Syndrome?#

Causes and Risk Factors for Dry Eye#

Sjögren’s Disease and Dry Eye#

Screening and Early Detection for Dry Eye#

Complications#