You’re getting older
Aging affects all parts of your body and the eyes are no exception. Up to 30% of people over the age of 50 have dry eye, even more in the 65-plus crowd.
As you get older, your ability to produce tears declines.
This may be because your tear ducts have become obstructed over time or because of inflammation, which can be a byproduct of aging, says Janet Cushing, OD, a clinical optometrist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health in Madison.
Fortunately, dry eye as a result of aging (or any other cause) doesn’t have to be severe and, although it can affect quality of life, it is also usually treatable.
