Impact of Habitual Caffeine Consumption on Dry Eye Disease

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disorder characterized by tear film instability, inflammation, and visual disturbances. While caffeine may theoretically influence tear production and ocular surface physiology, its real-world impact remains incompletely understood. This prospective study aims to evaluate how habitual caffeine intake affects DED symptom burden over 12 months using both in-office clinical testing and validated symptom questionnaires. Participants undergo assessments of tear production, clearance, epithelial integrity, and visual acuity, alongside surveys measuring ocular discomfort, caffeine consumption patterns, and daily functioning. The planned cohort includes 100 patients receiving routine ophthalmologic care at DHMC. Preliminary background research suggests that demographic and behavioral factors—digital device usage, aging, and stress—modulate DED severity. Findings from this study will clarify whether caffeine has protective, neutral, or exacerbating effects on tear film dynamics and patient-reported symptoms, informing lifestyle-based management strategies.