Are your eyes frequently dry, itchy, or irritated, and you can’t figure out why? While screen time and environmental factors are often to blame, there’s another cause that many people overlook: your medications.
That’s right; some of the most common prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs can reduce tear production or affect tear quality. Let’s explore why this happens and how to find relief.
Dry eyes from medication
Your eyes rely on a balanced tear film to stay comfortable, clear, and healthy. Certain medications can interfere with this balance by reducing tear production or altering tear composition, leading to symptoms such as:
- Burning or stinging
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- A gritty or “foreign body” sensation
- Excessive watering (your eyes trying to compensate for dryness)
In some cases, dry eye symptoms caused by medication can become chronic or even damage the surface of the eye if left untreated.
Medications that cause dry eyes
Several types of medications are known to contribute to dry eye symptoms:
- Antihistamines – Often used for allergies, they can dry out your eyes along with the rest of your body.
- Decongestants – These shrink blood vessels in the nasal passages but can also decrease tear production.
- Antidepressants and Anti-Anxiety Medications – These can affect the nervous system, which plays a role in tear secretion.
- Blood Pressure Medications – In particular, beta-blockers and diuretics are known to reduce tear flow.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Hormonal changes, especially estrogen, can affect tear film stability.
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) – This acne medication is widely recognized for causing dry eye and other dryness-related side effects.
What you can do about medication-induced dry eye
You can try the following if you suspect your medication is causing your dry eyes:
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Never stop taking your medication without professional advice. Your provider may be able to suggest an alternative or adjust your dosage.
- Use lubricating eye drops. Artificial tears can provide temporary relief from dryness.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water helps support healthy tear production.
- Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to your indoor environment can ease symptoms, especially in dry weather or heated/air-conditioned spaces.
- Visit Omaha Primary EyeCare. Our dry eye specialists in Elkhorn can evaluate your symptoms and offer advanced, in-office treatments that go beyond eye drops.
Suffering from dry eye? We can help!
If dry eyes are causing you significant discomfort, Omaha Primary EyeCare offers proven dry eye treatments in Elkhorn, NE, that target the root cause:
- OptiLight IPL Therapy – This gentle, light-based treatment reduces inflammation and restores function to the meibomian glands that produce the oil layer of your tears.
- LipiFlow® – A comfortable, in-office procedure that uses warmth and gentle pressure to clear blocked oil glands in the eyelids.
- BlephEx® – This treatment thoroughly cleans your eyelid margins to remove debris and bacteria that can worsen dry eye symptoms.
You shouldn’t have to choose between the medication you need and feeling comfortable. If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms and think your medications may be playing a role, contact us or schedule an appointment online today.
