Vision viewpoints: Dry eye advice for older adults
Posted on August 7, 2025 in Healthy You
Dry eye syndrome becomes more common as we get older, often leading to irritation and blurry vision. In this Q&A, Dr. Chad Overman, Delta Dental of Iowa’s medical expert for DeltaVision®, explains what causes dry eye, the symptoms you may not expect and when it’s time to see an eye care specialist.
Q: What exactly is dry eye syndrome, and why is it more common as we get older?
Dr. Overman: Your risk for having dry eye syndrome can be increased by some medications and health conditions. As we age, we tend to take more medications and have more health conditions, so that’s why it’s more common as we get older. Dry eye syndrome is typically caused by a lack of tear production. It can also be caused by having not enough oil secretions from your meibomian glands (oil glands along your eyelids), which can cause our tears to evaporate too quickly.
Q: What are the most common symptoms of dry eye that older adults should know about?
Dr. Overman: Scratchy or blurry vision are common symptoms of dry eye. If your vision changes from clear to blurry and back again, you may have a tear layer issue. Although it seems counter intuitive, tears running down your cheek can actually mean you have dry eyes. The excessive tears are a reflex because your eyes are too dry.
Q: Can dry eye syndrome affect vision or quality of life if left untreated?
Dr. Overman: It can affect both. Sore, irritated eyes that are blurry will affect many aspects of your life, so don’t want to talk to your eye care specialist about treatments that may help.
Q: Are there any at-home remedies or lifestyle changes that can help ease dry eye symptoms?
Dr. Overman: Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and walnuts, are good for keeping your eyes moist. Cleaning your lids with warm compresses and using an eye-approved ointment in your eyes before bedtime are fairly easy home remedies. Keep in mind that it may take a while before you see the benefits. Keep going!
Q: When should someone with dry or irritated eyes see an eye care specialist instead of trying to manage symptoms on their own?
Dr. Overman: I’d rather you see your doctor early on to make a specific treatment plan before you spend money on over-the-counter treatments that may not help. If your dry eyes are not responding to the initial treatments, your eye care specialist can use amniotic membranes as a next step in the treatment process. An amniotic membrane is a natural tissue harvested from the placenta of a healthy, full-term human baby. It essentially acts like a healing bandage over the eye.1
Q: Is there anything older adults can do to help prevent dry eye or keep it from getting worse?
Dr. Overman: We all tend to get dryer eyes as we age. But eating a healthy diet, keeping our lids clean and adding drops and/or an ointment can help tremendously. Having a yearly eye exam is a key way to make sure your eyes are not getting worse.
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REFERENCE:
American Optometric Association