Medications & Dry Eye Disease

Did you know that 62% of dry eye in the elderly can be attributed to medications? (source)

​

We've listed the most common offenders below:

• Anti-Histamines & Decongestants

  • These cause your eyes to make less tears - leading to dry eyes

  • Examples include: Benadryl, Claritan, Zyrtec, Allegra

​

• Hypertension medications

  • Especially Beta-Blockers & Diuretics

  • Both these medications lead to less tears being made

​

• Birth Control & Hormone therapy

  • These can cause dry eye symptoms - especially medications that are estrogen only, as opposed to estrogen + progesterone

​

• Pain Relievers 

  • Specifically NSAIDS like ibuprofen

​

• Acne medication 

  • These cause certain glands (including the meibomian glands of the eyelid) to release less oil. Great for acne, not so great for tears!

  • Accutane is one example

​

• Gastrointestinal medications

  • Examples include: Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, Zantac, Tagamet

​

• Chemotherapy medications

​​

• Anti-depressants

  • These block signals between nerves which can also block the nerves on the cornea which are important for telling your eyes when tears are needed

​

• Glaucoma medications

  • Yes, certain eye drops can cause dry eye.

  • Many glaucoma medications are preserved with benzalkodium chloride (BAK) which has been shown to be toxic to the corneal epithelium (top layer of the cornea). 

  • Talk to your eye doctor if you feel that this may be adding to your dry eye symptoms.  

​

NEVER stop a medication or change a dosage without consulting the prescribing practitioner. 

​