Medication-Induced Dry Eye: Causes, Risks, and What You Can Do

When your eyes feel gritty, burning, or like they’re full of sand—even when you haven’t been staring at a screen all day—it might not be fatigue. It could be medication-induced dry eye, a side effect caused by certain drugs that reduce tear production or change tear composition. Also known as drug-related dry eye, this condition affects millions who take common prescriptions without realizing their eyes are paying the price. Unlike dry eye from aging or screen use, this version starts quietly, often after you’ve been on a new medication for weeks or months. You might blame allergies, weather, or stress. But if your eyes suddenly feel worse after starting a new pill, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet.

Many drugs linked to dry eye symptoms, a reduction in tear production that leads to discomfort, redness, and blurred vision are things you’d never suspect. antihistamines, commonly used for allergies, block the signals that tell your tear glands to produce moisture. antidepressants, including SSRIs and tricyclics, interfere with the nervous system’s role in tear secretion. Even blood pressure meds like beta-blockers and diuretics, acne treatments like isotretinoin, and hormone therapies can trigger it. It’s not rare—it’s routine. And doctors rarely mention it unless you bring up eye discomfort.

What makes this worse is that people often ignore early signs. Dry eyes aren’t life-threatening, so they’re dismissed. But left unaddressed, they can lead to corneal damage, infections, or chronic pain. If you’re on any of these meds and notice your eyes feel dry more than usual—especially in the morning or after reading—talk to your doctor. Sometimes switching to another drug helps. Other times, using preservative-free artificial tears or adjusting your environment (like using a humidifier) makes a big difference. You don’t have to suffer silently. The right fix is often simple, but you need to connect the dots between your pills and your eyes.

Below, you’ll find real-world examples of how medications trigger this condition, what alternatives exist, and how others have managed it without giving up their prescriptions. Whether you’re on a daily pill or just started a new treatment, this collection gives you the facts you need to protect your vision—without waiting for a crisis.