---
title: What causes dry eye?
description: "Dry eye is caused by problems with tear production, tear composition, or excessive evaporation. Often several factors act together. ## Aqueous Deficiency Reduced tear production can result from age-related lacrimal gland decline, autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, or damage…"
url: "https://bluefinvision.com/knowledge-base/topics/conditions-diseases/what-causes-dry-eye/"
updated: "2025-12-11"
category: "Conditions & Diseases"
---

# What causes dry eye?

Dry eye is caused by problems with tear production, tear composition, or excessive evaporation. Often several factors act together.

## Aqueous Deficiency

Reduced tear production can result from age-related lacrimal gland decline, autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, or damage from inflammation, surgery, or radiation.

- Systemic medications (for example some antihistamines or antidepressants) can reduce tear flow
- Hormonal changes, particularly in women, also play a role
- Associated with other mucosal dryness symptoms in some patients

## Evaporative Causes

Meibomian gland dysfunction, eyelid inflammation, and incomplete blinking during prolonged screen use all increase evaporation. Environmental factors such as air conditioning, smoke, and wind add to the problem.

## Further Information

Blue Fin Vision® discusses underlying mechanisms and triggers in the blog article [dry eye syndrome causes](https://bluefinvision.com/blog/dry-eye-syndrome-causes-understanding-the-root-of-your-discomfort/), which complements this overview.