Vision Therapy in Mesa

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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I had a great experience with Sharper Vision Eyewear. They provided me with good care and handled m... y extra requests with ease. I will return here.
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Staff was very helpful and courteous.
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Great visit, Timothy Davis O.D. was great. Gave me great information, answered questions (I had a l... ot), double checked my prescription. Very Personable. Frame selections and questions answered. Only wish they still had the option for glass lenses. They are my favorite. And like we all know Insurance seems to cover less and less options. Overall a 5
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Exactly the experience that I had hoped for. The staff and Dr Allie Moody informed me throughout abo... ut my concerns and my options. The front desk staff made me feel comfortable and cared for as well. I will recommend them gladly
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I recently visited Dr. Moody and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the moment I w... alked in, the staff was welcoming and Kendra was the best and professional. Dr. Moody is incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything in detail during my eye exam. What stood out the most was her personalized approach. She genuinely cared about my comfort and vision needs, and it was clear she wanted the best outcome for me. It’s really a five star ⭐️
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Dr Moody took the time to explain everything. Ciara was extremely helpful with choosing a pair of g... lasses. Start to finish amazing experience.
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I wear glasses full time and have been going to Dr. Geiske for many years. She is top notch and the... staff is very efficient. Also, the frame selection is always up to date . They aim to please.
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Dr Moody was thorough in her explanations and performed her assessment without delay. The front offi... ce staff were friendly yet professional.
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The kind of vision care I wish I'd always had. My optometrist discovered a couple of eye problems E... ARLY. That means I get to take some actions to slow the progression and keep better vision longer. That's invaluable. A Sharper Vision optician was the first, ever, to measure pupil distance for glasses with enough precision to see that one eye is 1/2 millimeter farther from center than the other. Because of that, my progressive lenses are aligned better with my eyes and a larger area of what I'm looking at is in focus. I had been wearing glasses for 25 years already, living with the frustration of misaligned lenses. That was about 10 years ago. The opticians keep surprising me with their knowledge about glasses, fitting, and eyewear care. When they tell you to come back if you have any problems with new eyewear, they mean it. I couldn't get used to my new glasses recently so I went back. First an optician thoroughly checked the lenses. They had been made accurately to the prescription. Second, I was given an appointment with my optometrist to review exam results. She slightly tweaked the prescription, and my lenses are being changed to the new prescription. That's awesome client service.

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Dry Eyes in Mesa

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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 Sharper Vision 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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