Some medications have been found to cause dry eye as a side effect.
Some medications cause dry eye as a side effect. What types of medications are they, and what can be done if you need to use them, but have a history of dry eye.
Several types of common medications can cause dry eye, either by causing reduced tear production or by negatively affecting the tear film composition.
While these medications have very different purposes, one thing they have in common is that they block some signals between nerve cells. While this can be very helpful when treating something like depression or Parkinson’s disease, they may also, inadvertently, block the signals that would normally be telling your eyes to make more tears.
While some antidepressants, such as SSRIs, do not work this way, they too have been found to cause dry eye.
Medication which affect hormones, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for menopause, have been found to commonly cause dry eye. Additionally, it has been found that women taking just estrogen are much more likely to experience dry eye symptoms than women who take both estrogen and progesterone.
It is not completely understood why these hormone-affecting medications cause dry eye, but one possibility is that they affect how much water ends up in the tears.
Many blood pressure medications are known as beta-blockers, and block the body’s response to adrenaline. This helps the blood pressure through controlling the heart rate, which in turn reduces the amount of force placed by the blood on the arteries. A side effect of this, however, is that the body starts to produce less of a type of protein which is a component of the tears. This leads to fewer tears, and dryer eyes. Additionally, beta-blockers can lower the standard pressure in the eyes, which also leads to less water in the eyes, and thus dry eyes.
Another type of medication used for blood pressure problems, diuretics (also known as water pills). This medication, which helps the body get rid of water and salt, can also affect the composition of your tears and cause dry eye.
Some drugs taken for severe acne, such as isotretinoin, lower the amount of oils made by specific glands to help relieve symptoms. However, some of those glands, which are located in your eyelids, produce oils that are a key component of tears. If too little of this oil is produced, the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eyes.
If you believe a medication you are taking is causing dry eye, do not stop taking it right away as, depending on what type of medication it is, that can have a harmful effect. The best thing to do is speak with a doctor, who will be best able to recommend a solution which will work for you.
You may be instructed to change the dosage of the medication in question, as some drugs are less likely to cause dry eye if taken in smaller doses, or you may be advised to switch to a different, equivalent medication which does not cause dry eye.
Artificial tears, or other treatment options may be suggested as a way to keep your eyes properly moist.
If your dry eye is making it hard to wear your contact lenses, you may also be advised to dry different types of lenses, such as higher water content lenses or daily disposable lenses, to provide relief.
A number of commonly used medications can cause dry eye, for different reasons. Fortunately, solutions are out there, whether through changing your medication or using a dry eye treatment to relieve symptoms while you continue to take your medication. If you think a medication you are taking is causing dry eye, you can contact Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach at (562) 925-6591 to schedule a consultation. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the difference! The term foggy vision often refers to a visual disturbance characterized by blurred, cloudy, or hazy vision, which can make seeing clearly challenging. As your local optometrist, we recognize the significance of maintaining optimal […]
According to the National Eye Institute, nystagmus affects approximately 0.24% of the general population in the United States. This means a whopping 720,000 individuals in the US face the challenges of nystagmus. How does Nystagmus Impact Vision? Nystagmus is a condition that affects the eyes, causing involuntary and rapid movements that can make it difficult to […]
Are you tired of dealing with eyelid inflammation? Well, there's good news for you! Hypochlorous acid, a natural bactericidal compound, has been clinically shown to help fight against various eyelid conditions such as blepharitis, and it's even effective at preventing the development of styes and other eyelid infections. In this blog, we'll be exploring the […]
Monday & Wednesday
9:00AM–6:00PM
Tuesday & Thursday
8:00AM–5:00PM
Saturday
By appointment only
Friday & Sunday
Closed
