Keratoconjunctivitis sicca epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is relatively common within the United States, especially so in older patients. Specifically, the persons most likely to be affected by dry eyes are those aged 40 or older.

While persons with autoimmune diseases have a have a high likelihood of having dry eyes, most persons with dry eyes do not have an autoimmune disease. Instances of Sjögren syndrome and keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with it are present much more commonly in women, with a ratio of 9:1. In addition, milder forms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca also are more common in women. This is partly because hormonal changes, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause, can decrease tear production.^[1]

In areas of the world where malnutrition is common, vitamin A deficiency is a common cause.^[2] This is rare in the United States.^[2]

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