A new study finds that there is a link between dry eye disease and migraines. The study even found that patients who suffer from migraines are at a 20% higher risk of developing dry eye disease.

Dry Eye Disease 

Dry eye is more common than we think and anywhere from 8% to 34% of adults may be affected by dry eye. It’s a disorder on the tear film of the eye’s surface that may result in symptoms of visual disturbance or discomfort and other issues that can be impairing one’s daily life. If you suffer from dry eye don’t worry, it is common and there is a solution that can help! Read more here on dry eye disease.

The Study 

A team of researches led by Dr. Richard Davis, an ophthalmologist at the University of North Carolina conducted a 10-year study of almost 73,000 people cared for at ophthalmology clinics in North Carolina. After years of research they found, after accounting for other factors and medications, people with migraines had a 20% higher risk of developing eye disease. 

Age and sex both play a risk in developing dry eye. In addition to migraines being more common in women, hormonal and age-related changes also make older females more sensitive to DED. Researchers found that men 65 and older, having migraines nearly doubles the odds, and women the same age had nearly 2.5 times the risk. 

The Link 

“Underlying inflammatory processes” at the cellular level play key roles in both migraines and dry eye disease, according to the report. Excessive dryness of the eye’s surface might trigger nerve pathways that result in a migraine or inflammatory changes in DED might stimulate similar events in neuromuscular tissue.  

The bottom line, physicians need to be aware that a patient with one of these conditions is at higher risk for the other. If you struggle with migraines it is best to make an appointment to be checked for dry eye disease. Call and make an appointment today 480-994-1872!