Spring allergens linked to dry eye

Friday, May 29 2015 | 00 h 00 min | Vision Science

Researchers at the University of Miami have, for the first time, found a link between airborne allergens and dry eye.

After looking at the records of 3.4 million visits to Veterans Affairs eye clinics between 2006 and 2011, the researchers compared the 607,000 visits for dry eye and the allergy index over time and found that incidences of dry eye followed seasonal patterns.

The researchers observed a spike in dry eye cases each spring. April, the peak of the allergy season, had the highest rate of dry eye cases of any month. A smaller spike occurred in winter, while summer had the lowest incidence of dry eye cases.

Sufferers of springtime dry eye may benefit from taking steps to minimize exposure to airborne allergens, such as wearing goggles when working outdoors and installing air filters in their homes, in addition to dry eye treatments.

Further information: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/293005.php