While people of all ages can experience dry eye symptoms, research shows that the likelihood of developing dry eye increases as we get older. Understanding why aging plays a role and knowing the advanced treatment options available can help you take control of your eye health.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears you do produce are of poor quality. Healthy tears are made up of water, oils, and mucus, and they work together to keep the eyes moist, nourished, and protected. When this delicate balance is disrupted, the result is irritation, burning, grittiness, or a feeling like something is in your eye. Left untreated, dry eye can make it difficult to focus on everyday activities and may even impact the long-term health of your eyes.

Why Dry Eye Becomes More Common with Age

As we get older, several natural changes occur in our eyes that contribute to dry eye:

• Reduced Tear Production - Tear glands may produce fewer tears, which leads to dryness and irritation.

• Changes in Tear Quality - Even if tear volume is normal, aging can affect the balance of oils, water, and mucus in tears, making them less effective at keeping eyes lubricated.

• Medication Use - Many older adults take medications for other conditions, and some of these (like antihistamines, blood pressure medications, or antidepressants) can worsen dry eye.

• Underlying Health Conditions - Conditions such as arthritis, thyroid issues, or diabetes become more common with age and are linked to dry eye.

These factors combine to make dry eye one of the most frequently reported eye concerns in adults over 50.

Advanced Dry Eye Treatments We Offer

At NewView Family Eyecare, we go beyond over-the-counter drops and offer advanced in-office treatments tailored to your unique needs.

• ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment): This gentle yet effective treatment cleans and exfoliates the eyelids, removing debris and bacteria that block oil glands. By restoring proper gland function, ZEST helps your eyes produce healthier tears.

• OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): This FDA-approved therapy uses light energy to target inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands. It’s especially effective for patients with moderate to severe dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.

Together, these treatments address the root causes of dry eye, not just the symptoms, helping you enjoy clearer, more comfortable vision.

Take the Next Step Toward Comfortable Vision

Dry eye may become more common as we age, but it doesn’t have to control your daily life. With advanced solutions like ZEST and OptiLight IPL, we can help restore comfort and protect your long-term eye health.

Don’t let dry eye slow you down, schedule a consultation with NewView Family Eyecare and discover dry eye treatment that lasts.  Visit our office in Waterloo, Iowa, or call (319) 236-2020 to book an appointment today.