Top Dry Eye Cities Across the U.S.
Reviewed by Ronald Herskowitz, OD
Dry Eye hot spots can aggravate your symptoms and leave you miserable. If you're already having trouble keeping your eyes moist, you might want to stay away from some of the hottest, driest, windiest, and dustiest parts of the country. Either that, or stock up on your artificial tears and lubricants before you go on vacation or decide to pack up and move away.
Top Dry Eye Cities
According to The National Women's Health Resource Center, from information compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climatic Data Center and the Environmental Protection Agency, these are the top 50 out of 100 cities studied, where people are more susceptible to Dry Eye Syndrome:
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1. Las Vegas, NV |
26. Providence, RI |
Now, it’s important to notice that there aren’t very many coastline cities on this list. However, if this list were to continue with the entire 100 you would find that Los Angeles is #68, San Francisco is #73 and San Diego is #90.
Why Are These Cities On The List?
There are numerous reasons why someone can develop Dry Eye Syndrome. Most people don’t realize that their environment, particularly the city they live in, can be the major cause of their discomfort. Living in the right part of the country or even the a different part of a city can help to lessen your chances of getting dry eyes, as well as lessen your symptoms if you’ve already been diagnosed with dry eyes. Here’s a closer look at the major causes of this eye condition in these cities:
- Temperatures- Extreme temps, whether hot or cold can cause significant damage to your eye. Both hot and cold temperatures are known to dehydrate you, your eyes are included.
- Humidity- Areas with little to no humidity, or dryness, can cause lots of discomfort if you're suffering from dry eyes. Buying a humidifier will help the situation. However, you can’t spend all of your time around the house.
- Wind- Windy days can kick up dust and dirt and whip them right into your eyes at any given moment. This causes irritation and the need for rubbing your eyes, which dries them out even more.
- Altitude- Higher altitudes are harder on the eyes due to the lower amount of oxygen available to keep eyes moist. On the contrary, lower altitudes provide more oxygen which allows for clear, moist eyes.
- Pollutants- High amounts of ozone and particulates can sting and scratch eyes. Add a little bit of wind, and you’ll be wishing for a new set of eyes. Pollutants like smoke, smog, and exhaust fumes can cause even more irritation and suffering.
- Ocular allergens- Indoor and outdoor allergens can cause extreme discomfort and pain in your eyes. This will lead to constant rubbing, or constant saturating with artificial tears or lubricants, which at that point, isn’t any better than rubbing. Additional eye discomforts such as itchiness, redness, swelling and wateriness are also frequent.
Other things that can cause dry eye or make symptoms worse are:
- Dry indoor air- This can be relieved with the help of a humidifier.
- Contact lenses- Most people with dry eyes refuse to wear contacts because of the irritation of having something in their eye is too much to handle.
- Car air vents aimed at your face- This can be avoided simply by redirecting your vents and changing air filters often.
- Medications- This includes some high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, heart medications, antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, pain relievers and drugs for Parkinson's disease and gastric ulcers, and hormone therapy, particularly estrogen therapy can often make your dry eye symptoms worse.
- Computer use- Sitting in front of the computer for extended periods of time, whether it’s for work or leisure, can dry your eyes out. People using the computer too much forget to blink, and the less you blink the dryer your eyes become.
- Hair dryers- Drying your hair with a hair dryer is a normal way of life for some people. But the extra air flow doesn’t help someone if they suffer from dry eyes. The blowing air can also contribute to kicking up pollutants in the room.
- Certain foods- Chocolate, colas, coffee and tea all contain caffeine, which robs your body of moisture. Try avoiding these foods and drinks if possible.
[Page updated 12/2010]
