RIDGEWOOD, N.J., June 2009 — A new study reports that dry eye prevalence among men increases with age, affecting 3.9 percent of males who are 50 to 54 and 7.67 percent of men 80 years and older. Risk factors for dry eye in older men include hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland) and antidepressant use.
The researchers believe that one reason dry eye becomes more common with age is deterioration of the meibomian glands, which lubricate the eyelid. Deterioration of these glands also leads to the deficiency of androgen, a male hormone. It is believed that a decline in androgen is linked to eye problems.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH or an enlarged prostate) increases the risk for dry eye because treatment involves anti-androgen medications. The condition is more common in men 50 and older.
The researchers found that the use of antidepressants is the most significant association among non-visual conditions or medications. Study participants had a nearly twofold higher risk for dry eye if taking an antidepressant. Although dry eye may not be listed as a side effect of antidepressants, some patients report blurred vision, which can be caused by dry eye.
Currently, dry eye affects 1.68 million men age 50 or older in the United States. Using projected census figures, the researchers predict that the number will rise to more than 2.79 million by 2030. They recommend further studies to understand what influences dry eye disease in an effort to develop more targeted interventions for patients.
The study was reported in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.