How Common Is Dry Eye Worldwide? Age and Risk Factors

Dryness, burning, a gritty sensation, and fluctuating vision may seem like minor everyday discomforts, but they can also be associated with dry eye.

Dry eye has become one of the most common ocular surface concerns worldwide. However, there is no single percentage that accurately represents everyone. Reported prevalence varies significantly depending on age, geographic region, population, and how dry eye is defined and measured.

International epidemiological studies have reported dry eye prevalence ranging from approximately 5% to 50%. This wide range highlights an important point: dry eye is not limited to one age group. Aging, digital device use, environmental conditions, sex, contact lens wear, and meibomian gland function can all influence risk.

1. How Common Is Dry Eye Worldwide?

According to epidemiological evidence summarized by the TFOS DEWS II report, estimates of dry eye prevalence vary widely, with many studies reporting rates between approximately 5% and 50%.

Why is the range so large?

One reason is that studies do not always define dry eye in the same way. Some rely mainly on reported symptoms, while others use clinical signs or combine symptoms with ocular surface testing.

Researchers may evaluate factors such as:

• Dryness, burning, or gritty sensations
• Tear-film stability
• Tear production
• Ocular surface signs
• Previously diagnosed dry eye

For this reason, dry eye statistics should always be interpreted in the context of the population and diagnostic criteria used.

2. Younger People: Dry Eye Is Not Only an Age-Related Concern

Dry eye was once discussed mainly as a problem affecting middle-aged and older adults.

Modern lifestyles are changing that perception.

Some studies summarized in TFOS DEWS II reported dry-eye-related symptoms in approximately 21%–24% of Asian high school students. These figures represent symptom reporting rather than universal clinical diagnosis, but they show that younger people are not immune to ocular surface discomfort.

Digital device use is one factor worth considering.

During prolonged computer, smartphone, or tablet use, blinking may become less frequent or less complete. This can affect tear-film stability and contribute to dryness or discomfort.

For younger generations, screen habits have therefore become an increasingly important part of everyday eye health.

3. Adults: Work and Lifestyle Matter

Adults between their 20s and 50s often experience some of the highest levels of daily screen exposure.

Work, meetings, communication, reading, and entertainment may all involve digital displays.

Computer use has been identified as a potentially modifiable risk factor for dry eye, while other factors such as contact lens wear, low humidity, and environmental conditions may also contribute.

This means dry eye risk during adulthood is influenced not only by biological age, but also by how and where people work and live.

4. Older Adults: Age Remains an Important Risk Factor

Although dry eye is increasingly discussed among younger populations, age remains one of the clearest factors associated with higher prevalence.

Overall, dry eye prevalence tends to increase with age, with the trend becoming particularly relevant in adults over 50.

Age-related changes may affect tear production, tear-film stability, and meibomian gland function.

Older adults are also more likely to use multiple medications or experience other health-related factors that can influence the ocular surface, making dry eye risk more complex.

5. Why Is Dry Eye Often More Common in Women?

Sex is another factor repeatedly observed in dry eye research.

Overall, women tend to show a higher prevalence of dry eye than men, particularly as age increases.

For example, the Beaver Dam population study reported dry eye prevalence of approximately 16.7% in women and 11.4% in men.

Hormonal and physiological differences are among the factors that may contribute to this pattern.

Age and sex therefore often need to be considered together when interpreting dry eye statistics.

6. What Other Risk Factors Should We Know About?

Beyond age and sex, dry eye risk may be influenced by several additional factors, including:

• Prolonged computer use
• Contact lens wear
• Low-humidity environments
• Air pollution and environmental exposure
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Certain systemic health conditions
• Long-term use of some medications

This helps explain why dry eye rarely has a single cause.

Instead, it often reflects an interaction between age, physiology, environment, and lifestyle.

7. From Dryness to Better Daily Eye Health

Understanding global dry eye prevalence does not mean that every episode of dryness should be interpreted as dry eye disease.

The more useful lesson is that ocular surface comfort is continuously influenced by everyday behavior and environment.

For people who spend long hours in front of screens, simple habits can support daily eye comfort:

• Blink fully and regularly
• Take meaningful breaks from near work
• Maintain comfortable screen distance
• Avoid excessively dry environments when possible
• Pay attention to persistent changes in eye comfort

If dryness, burning, gritty sensations, or fluctuating vision continue over time, a professional eye examination can help determine the underlying cause.

From students and office workers to older adults, dry eye concerns now extend across multiple generations.

Existing research shows substantial variation in prevalence depending on the population and diagnostic method, but one trend remains clear:

Age continues to matter, while modern lifestyles are making dry eye risk relevant to a much broader population.

Understanding these dry eye statistics can help us move beyond simply asking how common dry eye is—and start paying closer attention to the everyday factors that influence long-term eye health.