Dry Eyes After Taking Medication? Causes and Fixes
Understanding a common but often overlooked cause of eye discomfort
If your eyes feel dry, itchy, or gritty—especially after starting a new prescription—you’re not alone. Millions of people experience dry eye symptoms every year, and while screens and aging are often blamed, there’s another common trigger many overlook: medication.
You might be surprised to learn that what causes dry eye can often be traced back to the pills in your medicine cabinet. From allergy treatments to antidepressants, certain medications can reduce tear production or alter tear composition, leading to that all-too-familiar feeling of dryness.
So, could your meds be to blame? Let’s break it down.
Medications That May Cause Dry Eye
Many commonly used drugs affect tear production. Here’s a closer look at the main culprits:
1. Antihistamines
Used for allergies and colds, these block histamine (the chemical that causes allergy symptoms) but also reduce tear production. That’s why your seasonal allergy meds might leave your eyes feeling like sandpaper.
2. Decongestants
These dry out your nasal passages—and unfortunately, your eyes, too. If you’ve been taking something for a stuffy nose, your eyes might be paying the price.
3. Antidepressants & Anti-anxiety Medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other mood-related medications can interfere with the nerves that control tear secretion. So if you’ve started a new medication for mental health and noticed dry eyes, it may not be a coincidence.
4. Blood Pressure Medications
Beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for heart conditions or hypertension, are known to affect the nerves that help maintain eye moisture.
5. Birth Control Pills & Hormone Therapy
Hormonal changes from birth control or menopause treatments can affect the oil glands in your eyelids, disrupting your natural tear film.
6. Acne Medications (like Isotretinoin)
These reduce oil production across the body—including the oil glands in your eyelids. Less oil means faster tear evaporation, which leads to dry eye symptoms.
So, What Causes Dry Eyes?
In short: it’s not just age or too much screen time.
When looking into what causes dry eye, medication use is a major factor to consider. Some meds decreased tear production. Others change the makeup of your tears or affect how long they stay on your eye.
If you’ve started a new drug and your eyes feel irritated, talk to your doctor or eye specialist. You might be able to switch medications or try solutions to manage symptoms.
What You Can Do About It?
If medications are behind your dry eyes, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Here are a few ways to find relief:
- Use preservative-free artificial tears regularly
- Apply warm compresses to support oil gland function
- Stay hydrated – dry eyes often come with dry everything else
- Talk to your doctor about switching to a different drug or adjusting your dose
- Limit screen time and take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule
When to See an Eye Doctor?
If your dry eye symptoms persist or worsen, it’s worth getting a professional opinion. Chronic dry eye can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, and even long-term damage if untreated. An eye specialist can help identify what causes dry eye in your specific case—whether it’s medication, environment, hormones, or something else.
Final Thoughts
Dry eyes can be more than a minor annoyance—they can interfere with your work, sleep, and quality of life. And while it’s easy to blame the weather or your screen habits, medications are often a hidden factor in what causes dry eye.
If you suspect your prescriptions are affecting your eyes, don’t hesitate to speak up. A few small changes could make a big difference in your comfort and clarity.
