If you suffer from migraines, the chances of you having a chronic eye disease could be higher, according to a new study. A common disease which is characterized by natural tears failing to adequately lubricate the eyes, the chronic dry eye has an effect on a person’s quality of life. According to the study, the people with migraine had a 20% higher risk of having dry eye disease, the HealthDay reported. For men, aged 65 or above, having a migraine nearly doubled the odds of dry eye disease, and risk in women of the same age was almost 2.5 times.
This association between the two was found to be more common among the elderly, particularly female patients, due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and menopause. "Physicians caring for patients with a history of migraine headaches should be aware that these patients may be at risk for concurrent dry eye disease," said Richard Davis, an ophthalmologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the US.
"Inflammatory changes in dry eye disease might trigger similar events in neuromuscular tissue, leading to the development and propagation of migraine headaches," the team noted.
In addition, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid problems, exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates, and long-term use of contact lenses can also lead to dry eyes, the study noted.
