Pharmaceutical and Herbal Products That May Contribute to Dry Eyes

Abstract

This study identifies the medications and herbal products that should be considered when a patient undergoes blepharoplasty and complains of symptoms associated with dryness of the eyes.

Comorbidities and Prescribed Medications in Patients With or Without Dry Eye Disease: A Population-Based Study

“…Drugs with anticholinergic effects can disrupt ocular homeostasis and have been found to increase the occurrence or severity of symptoms of DED. [36][37][38] In this study, >25% of beneficiaries with DED, as well as >20% of those without DED, had prescriptions for b-blockers and diuretics, which have known anticholinergic activity. The proportion of beneficiaries with a history of renal failure was higher in beneficiaries with DED.…”

“…The biggest difference between DED and non-DED group nonocular medication use was found in prescription of decongestants (1.5-fold higher for the newly diagnosed and 1.7-fold higher for the prevalent DED groups), which decrease tear production and can increase the risk of dry eye. 36 Ocular comorbidities in beneficiaries occurred at higher proportions in the DED groups than in the non-DED groups, with cataract being the most common. Cataract surgery was undertaken in 14.8% and 13.5% of beneficiaries in the newly diagnosed and prevalent DED groups, compared with 5.0% and 5.7%, respectively, for the matched non-DED groups.…”

“…2,4,34 Similarly, anxiolytic prescriptions for beneficiaries were 2-fold higher (DED: 21.7 newly diagnosed, 23.7% prevalent; non-DED: 14.7 newly diagnosed, 15.3% prevalent) than the proportion of beneficiaries with anxiety disorders (DED: 11.4 newly diagnosed, 12.4% prevalent; non-DED: 6.8 newly diagnosed, 7.5% prevalent). Because both antidepressant and anxiolytic medications are associated with a higher proportion of patients with DED, 5,17,22,29,36,[54][55][56] their use by patients with DED, or at risk for DED, should be ascertained even in the absence of a clinical diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety. Closer alignment of conditions to associated prescribed medications was found for beneficiaries with sleeping disorders, including sleep apnea (the proportion of sleep medication prescriptions is w70%-90% of the proportion of beneficiaries with sleep disorders across all groups).…”

Ocular biomarkers in diseases and toxicities

“…Herbal products with the same effect include niacin, kava, echinacea, and anticholinergic alkaloids (Askeroglu et al, 2013). Moreover, corneal toxicity can be caused in a number of individuals by fluoroquinolones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops, glaucoma eye drops, preservatives in eye drops, aminoglycosides, chemotherapeutic medications, topical anesthetics, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, bisphosphonates, retinoids, topical steroids, topical iodine, and some herbal medications such as black mustard, chamomile, cypress spurge, goa powder, and psyllium (Fraunfelder, 2006).…”

Tear Film – Physiology and Disturbances in Various Diseases and Disorders

“…Some samples: ß-blockers used for glaucoma therapy reduce test Shirmer I and break-up time values, long term general anesthesia decrease basal tear production, antihistamines block both goblet cells and lacrimal glands, topical glaucoma therapy reduces LLT, oral mucolytics modify mucous layer, systemic antidepressants, anticholinergics or antihypertensives increase risk of dry eye problems [56,103,[116][117][118][119][120][121][122]. A comprehensive review of this problem with the list of medicines and herbs has been prepared by Askeroglu et al [123]. Analyzing influence of medicines on the ocular surface and dry eye disease we have to remember that topical used multidose artificial tears and lubricants contain preservatives.…”