Pets and Dry Eye Disease: Can Pet Dander Cause Dry Eyes?

We all love our pets, but for sufferers of Dry Eye Disease, they can also present a whole host of issues. Avoiding flare-ups of Dry Eye Syndrome can be a full-time job, trying to work out triggers and make sure you’re able to manage your symptoms. If you’re noticing itchy eyes every time you spend time with your pets, it’s time to think whether your pets exacerbate your dry eye symptoms.

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease is a prevalent condition caused by an issue with the quality or quantity of tears you’re producing.[1] Your tear film is made up of three layers: the mucin layer, the aqueous layer, and the lipid layer. If any of these layers experience issues or are damaged, it can affect tear production.[1]

There are Different Forms of Dry Eye Disease 

When different elements of your eyes are damaged, it can cause different forms of Dry Eye Disease. 

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye 

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye can develop when your lacrimal glands aren’t able to make enough fluid to lubricate your eyes properly. It’s commonly caused by Sjögren’s disease, but can also be related to age, hormone replacement therapy, your environment, blepharitis, or other factors.[2] If you’d like to find out more about Sjögren’s disease, then visit the Dry Eye and Me blog.

Evaporative Dry Eye 

Evaporative Dry Eye is an issue that develops when the quality of the tear isn’t good enough to fully hydrate and lubricate the eyes. This is often caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, a condition where the glands that secrete the tear film’s oily layer become blocked or produce oil that is too thick.[3] This disruption reduces tear film stability and leads to increased evaporation of tears.[3]

Mixed Dry Eye 

Mixed Dry Eye is a combination of both Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye and Evaporative Dry Eye. When there’s instability with tear production, the hydration and moistness of your eye surface are affected, which can lead to inflammation and damage.[4]

What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

While a combination of factors can cause different forms of Dry Eye Disease, there are often common triggers and factors for the development of the condition. 

Diseases and pre-existing health issues 

Certain eye conditions such as blepharitis, entropion, and ectropion, can cause the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease by causing irritation of the tear film and the surface of the eye.[5] 

Your environment

Many environmental factors can cause discomfort for your eyes and lead to the development of symptoms such as itching, excessive watering, and sensitivity to light, smoking, spending time in windy, dry, or dusty environments, offices with air conditioning, or staring at computer screens all day.[6]

Medication 

Dry eyes can be a side effect of many medications, especially those used to treat depression, blood pressure, glaucoma, menopause, and pain.[7]

Your age or gender 

Women and patients over 50 are more likely to develop Dry Eye Disease than any other demographic, with hormonal changes contributing to the development of the condition.[5] As you age, it’s harder for your body to produce tears required to lubricate your eyes. For women, as they age, the testosterone levels in their bodies decline. There is evidence that testosterone affects the function of the meibomian gland, meaning the decline of testosterone can cause Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, leading to the development of Evaporative Dry Eye or Mixed Dry Eye Disease.[8] To find more about female health and Dry Eye Disease, read this blog on the link between menopause and Dry Eye Disease. 

Allergens 

Allergies are well known to cause dry eyes, and allergens can cause an allergic reaction, creating inflammation in the eyes and reducing tear production, drying out the surface of the eyes further.[9] Additionally, allergies can inflame the meibomian glands and the conjunctiva.[9]

Pets and Dry Eye Disease

Allergies to pets are extremely common, with some studies suggesting 10-20% of the population worldwide are allergic to cats and dogs.[10] The allergy to pets is not to the pet itself but to the dander (the dead skin cells on the pet), which can be collected by the hair or fur, which is why many people may experience symptoms of an allergy after spending time with the pet or in environments where pets have been and their hair has accumulated. Animal allergens can even invade the air and are small enough to enter your lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and even asthma attacks.[11]

Can Allergies to Pets Cause Dry Eye Disease?

Pet allergy reactions can cause a lot of the same symptoms as Dry Eye Disease, making it difficult for some people to tell the difference between the conditions. These symptoms include: 

Red and watery eyes
Swelling around the eyes
Itchy eyes.[11]

Studies have shown that pet ownership is associated with a higher risk of Dry Eye Disease.[12] 

How Do Allergy Medications Affect Dry Eye Disease?

Many people take allergy medications such as antihistamines and decongestants to deal with difficult symptoms of their allergies. These medications can cause the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease as they reduce tear production, meaning your eyes aren’t able to be adequately hydrated.[9] 

Treatment of Dry Eye Disease Symptoms

Dry Eye Disease symptoms can make your life more difficult, causing you to try to avoid triggers and flare-ups. But you don’t need to avoid cats and dogs to avoid itchiness and discomfort. The best way to make sure you’re able to rest and take care of your eyes is to treat and hydrate your delicate eyes. 

Eye drops can be the best way to reintroduce moisture and soothe discomfort. Xailin® Ectoine is designed to provide soothing relief from allergy-related irritation, making it perfect to treat pet-related dry eyes. You can find out more and purchase Xailin® Ectoine here in our shop.

A regular hygiene routine can help you remove irritants like pet hair and dander from your eye area. A three-step routine is often recommended. Find out more about what a three-step plan is and what products would be perfect for your own routine by reading our page on three-step plans here. 

Dry Eye Disease and eye irritation can often feel isolating, but you’re not alone in suffering. If you’re interested in learning more about Dry Eye Disease, its triggers, and how to cope with flare-ups, check out our blog. 

References

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