Other Eye Symptoms By Christopher J Brady, MD, Wilmer Eye Institute, Retina Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised May 2021 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Dry eyes The disorder is most often idiopathic or associated with older age but can also be caused by connective tissue diseases (eg, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus).