A thin layer of tears called the tear film coats the surface of your eyes. You need these tears to protect your eyes and to keep the surface comfortable. If you do not produce enough tears, or if the consistency of your tear film does not have the right balance you may have problems with dry eye. Certain medications and other factors may contribute to inadequate tear production, but at the time of publication, researchers do not have conclusive data to determine if caffeine has an effect.
Formation
The tear film consists of an oil layer, a water layer and a mucous layer. Glands in the eyelids, called meibomian glands, produce the oily outer layer of tear film. The tissue that covers the white of your eye contains cells that make up the outer mucous layer, and a gland located in the tissue underneath the top of the orbit, the bone highlighted by your eyebrow, makes the water layer. Tear production and dry eye go hand in hand since, if your body fails to produce enough quality tears, you will most likely experience dry eye. This condition causes irritation and discomfort on the surface of your eye, redness and episodes of blurry vision.
Studies
In a 2002 study, researchers Scot E. Moss, MA, et al., evaluated factors such as medication use, smoking and caffeine consumption in dry eye sufferers. In relation to caffeine, the study showed that consumption could increase the risk of dry eye. In a later study, conducted in 2008 by the same researchers, the study evaluated similar factors, including the risks associated with caffeine use. The 2008 study did not show that caffeine as a significant risk factor. The variance in these two studies indicates the difficulty researchers have in trying to determine the impact of caffeine and other factors on dry eye.
Diagnosis
If your eye doctor suspects that you have dry eye, she will perform a Schirmer's test. She will use an eye drop to numb the surface of your eyes and place thin strips of special paper along your lower eyelid. After five minutes she will remove the strips and read the moisture level that indicates your tear production. These results help your doctor identify a potential problem.
Treatment
People with poor tear production often benefit from frequent use of artificial tears, an over-the-counter eye drop that coats the eye's surface. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend a prescription eye drop designed to increase your tear production. Although researchers do not know of a definite connection between caffeine and tear production, if you consume caffeinated products, talk with your doctor. She may recommend trying to reduce your intake so that you can monitor for any improvement in your condition.
References
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Dry Eye
- MedlinePlus: Schirmer's Test
- "Archives of Ophthalmology"; Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Dry Eye Syndrome; Scot E. Moss, MA, et al.; 2000
- "Optometry and Vision Science"; Long-Term Incidence of Dry Eye In An Older Population; S.E. Moss, et al.; 2008
- St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute: Tear Production
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