On the pages Dry Eye/Watery Eye FAQs and Contact Lens FAQs, I discuss if eye make up or medications may be linked to dry eye. While many medications do have adverse effects of dry skin, mouth and eyes a particular systemic medication known as Isotretinoin capsules, used as a treatment for severe acne can have significant and long-lasting, if not permanant effects, on the eye's ability to produce its normal quantity and quility of tears. This would not be surprising as the medication's intended effect is targetted at the skin's sebaceous glands and the eye lids contain, as I refer to them, cousins of these glands known as meibomian glands. The overwheliming cause of 'dry eye' is the disfunction, often not reversable, of these vital glands. This side-effect is classed as 'very common' in the Patient Information Leaflet which can be accessed here. This adverse effect can effect both people with dry eye and contact lens wearers, I have patient's I help in both of those categories.
It is also strongly suspected that skin products with an array of vitamin A-based 'retinoids' may also contribute to dry eyes and contact lens discomfort, specifically the vital meibomian glands.
Below, discussing the whole picture in a balanced way, is a rather good video from across the pond. If you would like to discuss this topic further with a view to an appointment please email myself
Andrew D Price FBDO(Hons)CL MBCLA