Vision Therapy in St. Augustine

Medications That Can Cause Dry Eyes

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Dry Eye Syndrome as a Side Effect

Dry eye syndrome can result from various causes, including certain types of medications that have been identified as potential contributors to this condition. Typically, this occurs as a side effect of the medication's primary purpose.

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Common Medications Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome

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Many people may not realize that their drugs can contribute to dry eye symptoms. These medications can affect tear quantity or alter the quality of tear composition.

It's essential to recognize that dry eye can be a potential side effect of various medications. This can go a long way in finding the most appropriate treatment options.

  • Acne Medicine: Retinoids for Severe Acne

    If you're dealing with severe and painful cystic acne, your primary physician may have prescribed retinoid drugs. These medications work by diminishing the production of facial oils, but unfortunately, they can also reduce the amount of lubricating oils in your tears, contributing to dry eyes.

  • Antihistamines for Allergy Relief

    Antihistamine drugs can be vital for allergy sufferers, alleviating symptoms like sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes. However, they can have the unintended side effect of reducing tear production, leading to dry eye symptoms.

  • Sleeping Pills, Certain Antidepressants, and Medications for Parkinson's Disease

    Medications in these categories often work by blocking some nerve cell signals. While they may help with their intended purposes, they can also interfere with the signals that stimulate tear production, potentially causing dry eye symptoms.

  • Hypertension Drugs

    Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure by blocking the body's response to adrenaline. While they can be effective in this regard, they also slow the heartbeat and reduce the force of blood on arteries. These drugs can also lead to a decrease in aqueous tear production, resulting in dry eye symptoms.

  • Hormones and Birth Control Pills

    Certain hormone pills, particularly estrogen-only formulations, have been linked to dry eye syndrome. These medications can affect tear composition and contribute to dry eye symptoms.

  • Pain Relievers: Over-the-Counter Medications

    Some over-the-counter medications, such as high doses of ibuprofen, may lead to dry eye symptoms. They can decrease tear secretion and cause eye discomfort.


Dealing with Dry Eye-Related Side Effects

While the list of medications above offers some insight into the typical culprits behind dry eye, it's crucial to remember that dry eye symptoms can emerge as an unexpected side effect of various medications or combinations of drugs.

It is important to note that you should never stop taking your prescribed medications without explicit guidance from your healthcare provider. Doing so without professional oversight could result in more severe health problems and may not necessarily alleviate symptoms of dry eyes.

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Patient Reviews
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- Jun. 27, 2025
Very thorough and trustworthy information given.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Brei and Morgan were so wonderful. They were all so accommodating and Dr.Mattox was absolutely amazi... ng.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Professional, efficient, friendly.
- Jun. 25, 2025
Fixed my glasses during their lunch break! Thanks Rowe
- Jun. 25, 2025
Friendly and professional
- Jun. 10, 2025
Great Service!
- Jun. 08, 2025
Nice people and great service. Appreciated how quickly I was able to get in for an appt.
- Jun. 03, 2025
Dr. Sierra Mattox and the sweet administrator that checked me out after my appointment were not only... amazing but were extremely informative not only answered all my questions but went over and beyond to make sure what I needed for further treatment was taken care of. Thank you ladies for a 10 star appointment:)
- May. 31, 2025
Great service & updated equipment all the staff helpful & Dr Maddox so nice to work with Glad i f... ound Rowe Family eye Care It’s a perfect fit for me Thank you all for the assistance with my eye care , glad I found you in St Augustine
- May. 26, 2025
Dr Mattox at Rowes’s eye care was wonderful. She was friendly and professional and was spot on wi... th my contact prescription.
- May. 23, 2025
I have nothing but great things to say about Rowe Family Eye Care! I was dealing with daily eye stra... in and headaches. After working with Dr. Brown, Patrice, and Kathy, those issues are gone. They were professional, efficient, and actually helped fix the problems. Highly recommend.
- May. 09, 2025
Our experience with the eye therapy specialist for ADHD has been absolutely incredible. The sessions... are engaging, supportive, and tailored perfectly to our child’s unique needs.
- May. 08, 2025
Very professional & always willing to help 😊
- May. 05, 2025
Popped in under very short notice as I had snapped off one of the nose pads on my glasses. Morgan no... t only repaired them in under five minutes but also adjusted the fitment of my frames to better fit my face. Was in and out in just ten minutes, thank you Morgan!
- Apr. 28, 2025
Very nice I would highly recommend
- Apr. 23, 2025
Wonderful staff ! Just would like to se more of a selection of glasses to choose from.
- Apr. 22, 2025
I've been coming here for years, and they are great. They even replaced my scratched lenses for free... even though it was a few days over my insurance period and gave me eye glass cleaner. It was so kind and showed me they care about their patients and are here to support you. It was also easy getting appointments and the office is clean and professional. They also have a great selection of eyeglasses. I got my favorite pair from here. I would definitely recommend coming here!
- Apr. 19, 2025
Rowe has a friendly, familial atmosphere. Efficient front desk staff. Optometry service is outstandi... ng- Nicholas is wonderful.
- Mar. 05, 2025
Ev
- Mar. 04, 2025
Sometimes it’s the simplest thing. Thank you, Nicholas, for silicone nose pads. I got 2 pairs of g... lasses and one was slipping down my nose. I tried sticking nose pads covers which didn’t help. Thanx, again, Nicholas.

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Dry Eyes in St. Augustine

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Dry Eye Management and Treatment

If you find yourself experiencing dry eye symptoms in connection with your medication regimen, the most prudent course of action is to promptly seek consultation with both your eye specialist and primary care physician.

This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, enabling healthcare professionals to determine the best course of action to manage and alleviate dry eye-related side effects.

At Rowe Family EyeCare, we'll evaluate your condition and medical history to determine the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan. Take the first step towards a healthier you—schedule an appointment today and let us guide you on the path to wellness!

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