Can Medications Cause Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is a condition which can be caused by a wide range of things, including some medications.

Call Us

(423) 710 3965

Can Medications Cause Dry Eyes? in Hixson

Dry eye can be caused by a wide range of things, including the environment, too much time in front of screens, a number of other medical conditions, and more. But what about medications?

Take the Dry Eye Quiz to find out if you suffer from dry eyes

Medication and Dry Eye

Among the varied causes of dry eye, several types of medication have been found to cause dry eye. This is generally due to side effects of whatever the medication was designed to do.

Antidepressants, Parkinson’s Medication, and Sleeping Pills

What this list of medications have in common is that they block some of the signals between nerve cells. While this can be helpful for people suffering from Parkinson's or depression, this can also lead to the medication blocking signals that would help tell the eyes to make more tears.

It should be noted that this mechanism only applies to tricyclic antidepressants, not SSRIs. Though, SSRIs can also cause dry eye.

Antidepressants, Parkinson’s Medication, and Sleeping Pills

Birth Control and other Hormone-Affecting Medication

Hormonal changes are very closely linked to dry eye (it is the reason women, particularly women over the age of 50, are more likely to have dry eye.) As such, medications which affect hormones, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy treatments for menopause, cause dry eye.

Women who only take estrogen have been found to be far more likely to suffer from dry eye than women who take both estrogen and progesterone.

At present, doctors are unsure exactly why hormonal changes cause dry eye, but one theory is that it can affect how much water is in the tears.

Acne Medicine

Acne medication such as isotretinoin can also cause dry eye. They help get rid of acne by lowering the amount of oil produced by certain glands. Because this effect can extend to glands in the eyelids, it can lead to less oil in your tears. If there is insufficient oil in your tears, it can lead to them evaporating too quickly, which will lead to dry eyes.

Blood Pressure Medication

A very common type of blood pressure medication, beta blockers, work by blocking the body’s response to the hormone adrenaline. This helps correct blood pressure by slowing the heartbeat, and reducing the force the blood puts on the arteries. However, a side effect of this is that the body then produces less of the proteins which go into the tears. This in turn leads to fewer tears, and dry eye.

Beta-blocker medications also lower the normal pressure in the eyes, which can reduce the water content in the tears and lead to dryness.

Another type of blood pressure medication, diuretics, which help rid the body of salt and water, but also negatively impact tear composition.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are commonly used to control allergy symptoms, but in the process they can diminish the aqueous layer of the tear film and leave the eyes with insufficient moisture.

Painkillers

Many commonly used painkillers fall under the NSAID category (non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs). While inflammation is a symptom of dry eye, these drugs do not reduce the likelihood of that, and can exacerbate the damage dry eye already causes.

Herbal Supplements

The three most common supplements that can cause dry eye are niacin, echinacea, and kava.

What Should You Do If Your Medication is Causing Dry Eye?

If you suspect your medication is the cause of your dry eye, do not stop taking them right away. Many of these medications are meant to treat serious conditions, and suddenly stopping them can lead to harmful effects.

The best course of action is to see your doctor for advice. A reduction in dose size may be recommended, as some medications are less likely to cause dry eye if you take a smaller dose. Alternatively, you may be prescribed a different medication for the same condition which shouldn’t cause dry eye.

Additionally, depending on how severe the dry eye is, you may be recommended to use artificial tears to alleviate symptoms while continuing the medication.

Summary

There are many common types of medication which can cause dry eye. If you suspect your medication is causing dry eye, do not stop taking it right away; instead, schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor about what you can do about the problem. If you would like to see a doctor to discuss what to do about a medication that is causing dry eye, you can contact Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga at (423) 710 3965. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.

Learn More

1 2 3 … 7 Next »

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!