Drug-induced dry eye: Knowing your medications

From antiacne medications to antihistamines, many drugs can contribute to the development of dry eye syndrome or be the causes of dry eye. Let's look at the most common ones^1-5:

Contraceptive pills

Estrogen may affect the production of the aqueous components in your tear film and therefore dry out your eyes. If you have DED, consult with your gynecologist when using birth control pills or if on hormone replacement therapy for menopause.^1-5

Antihypertensive drugs

Antihypertensive drugs that are classified as beta blockers can reduce tear production and can lead to symptoms of dry eye.^1-5

Antihistamines

They block your body's response to allergy triggers and prevent symptoms like watery eyes or runny nose, but they also restrict the lacrimal glands to a point, that there are not enough tears for lubricating your eyes.^1-5

Nasal decongestants

To get rid of stuffy nose in case of cold or allergy, you can rely on a decongestant, because it reduces the swelling in the blood vessels of your nose and increases the airflow. But unfortunately, it may reduce the amount of your tears, too.^1-5

Antidepressants

Anti-anxiety medications and tricyclic antidepressants stop the transfer of signals which activate the glands in your body. These can also affect the lacrimal glands and your eyes produce fewer tears consequently.^1-5

Pain relievers

If you use OTC pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol), at especially high doses, you may experience dry eye symptoms.^1-5

Antiacne medication

If you have severe acne, your doctor may prescribe isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A which reduces the amount of oils produced by your skin. As a side effect, it impacts the production of the lipid layer of your tear film, leading to tear film instability and increased water evaporation, which result in dry eye.^1-5

When you think your medications may link to your dry eye symptoms, don’t stop taking them and discuss with your doctor for alternative treatments. In most cases, drug-induced dry eye will disappear after the medication is discontinued, but it might take several weeks or even months.