According to a new report published online February 24, 2014 in Ophthalmology, air pollution and atmospheric pressure are the most influential environmental risk factors for the development of dry eye syndrome (DES). Solid and liquid particles in the air were noted to be a significant cause of dry eye disease. Researchers from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Florida evaluated over 606,708 patients and found that the risk of dry eyes was 13% higher for people living in areas of higher pollution and higher atmospheric pressure. Of interest was the inverse finding of less dryness in areas with higher wind speed and higher humidity.