Dry eye is a problem that has been raised as a reader’s health query in past E-news bulletins. Since then, a new research study has thrown more light on the problem, which we thought we’d share with you.
In the first place, there’s a lot of it about. The study, which was carried out at Beaver Dam in Wisconsin, found that 13 per cent of the adult population over the age of 45 had the condition.
Those more likely to develop it had a history of allergies or diabetes; they used antihistamines or diuretics, and generally suffered from poorer health. Taking an ACE inhibitor seemed to reduce the risk, but then, so did alcohol, which has to be a safer option.
(Source: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2004; 122: 369-73).