The Hidden Dangers of ACCUTANE and RETINOL on the Eye

Learn about the potentially irreversible side effects of Accutane and retinol on the eye!
While vitamin A is known for its beneficial effects on skin health, it's crucial to exercise caution when using skincare products containing high levels of this vitamin, such as retinol creams. Excessive exposure to vitamin A in the form of retinoids, particularly oral medications such as Accutane (isotretinoin), may contribute to the development of irreversible dry eye disease. Retinoids can disrupt the delicate balance of tear production and evaporative loss, leading to a reduction in the quantity and quality of oil layers of the tears. This imbalance can result in symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and discomfort in the eyes. It's advisable to use vitamin A-containing skincare products with caution and, if concerned, consult with a dermatologist or ophthalmologist to ensure proper eye health and avoid potential complications.
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@EyeSchoolwithDrD • Can You Use Retinol Ar...
Sources
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25597...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24765...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23722...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34978...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ophthalmologymanagement.c...
Retinol Chemistry from ‪@LabMuffinBeautyScience‬
• Should you even use tr...
Eye Animation from: eyeillustrations.com/
Helpful videos on dry eye disease
- What Causes Dry Eyes
• What Causes Dry Eyes? ...
- Treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
• Dry Eyes Treatment for...
- Vitamins for Dry Eye
• Best Vitamins and Supp...
-Omega 3s for Dry Eye
• Omega 3 Fish Oil for D...
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Dr. Allen is a board-certified optometrist, a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He completed his residency through the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and is also a member of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society
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#accutane #retinol #dryeyes
0:00 The Hidden Dangers of Accutane and Retinol on the eye
0:20 What is Accutane
1:08 Dry Eyes from Accutane
2:31 What to do
3:15 What is Retinol?
4:07 Does Retinal cause dry eye?
5:18 Dry Eye Treatments for MGD
==
DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including: infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the site. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or it’s description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Have you ever used Retinol creams or products? Have you developed any dry eye issues from it?

[@joneyedoc]

What about using natural oils like raw virgin coconut oil? I use it on my skin, and use for mouth rinse.

[@Cutiekittiecat]

I used tretinoin at night and waking up wondering why my eye grity, red and dry. I dint know retinol was the issue but couple week before ive read article about it and stoped complety😢

[@veronicaana]

Been using Roc Retinol Correxion eye cream for 20 years and I am also a contact wearer. No dry eyes at all. I just started using Tretinoin, and am a little worried about that though.

[@thalaster]

I used it twice in my teens and I developed dry eye issues in my early 20s so probably was a big cause of it.

[@Car_Fanatic]

Dry eye routine update video plz it's 2 yrs old. Sorry to bother you

[@melissahill4559]

Definitely believe my retinol use caused my dry eye. Only makes sense that something as powerful as retinol for skin care could be so damaging to the delicate eyes.🙄

[@RossMcCarthy1990]

I like how skin doctors say use retinol, and eye doctors say don't use retinol , and neither of them bother talking to each to try fix the bloody problem.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Well there are now new publications encouraging co management between the professions. That when dermatology prescribes vitamin A products they refer for dry eye evaluations.

[@salvatorel.2364]

A recent study , showed that Acne suffers are prone to MGD even whitout taking accutane. The cause is the inflammatory caracteristic of their oil over production who can also cause ocular rosacea over than acne. The best advice for acne suffers is to take preventative screening of MG and absolutely treat severe cases because chronic inflammation due to untreated acne leads also to bad consequences for eye health.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Great info! Can you share the study?

[@salvatorel.2364]

@@DoctorEyeHealth is allowed to share links? pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35417517/

[@salvatorel.2364]

@@DoctorEyeHealth i have shared the link , but the comment has been censured. The study is on PUBMED: " Assestment of the ocular surface and meibomian gland morphology in patients with treatment-naive acne vulgaris " The study evaluated 35 eyes of acne suffers non treated and 35 eyes non acneic healthy control. The result showed a statististically significant " defined as high grade (no percentages in the abstract)" difference in MG loss in acne group vs healthy , with the conclusion that acne suffers has predisposition to MGD and have to perform screening especially in case of isotretinoin treatment plan.

[@salvatorel.2364]

@@memoonasaeed4408 youtube dont allows me to share the link, bans me the comment.

[@salvatorel.2364]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Pub med: "Assessments of the ocular surface and meibomian gland morphology in patients with treatment-naive acne vulgaris"

[@roisinmc7442]

Thank you for putting this out there. As a severe dry eye and suspected sjogrens sufferer with both aqueous deficient dry eye and MGD I have researched a lot in the last decade in dry eye forums etc. Due to this I knew about isotretinon and severe lifelong dry eye and was horrified this info isn't out there!! I had perfect skin as a teen thankfully but people in my opinion would rather suffer acne than a lifetime of eye pain that is irreversible

[@paulmoore6175]

I was one of the first patients to receive Accutane in 1984 and I recall in 1993 that my eyelids were swollen red and irritated and have been ever since. Now almost no eyelashes. I treat them as well as I can but thanks to this new information I will bring the matter up with my eye doctor

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Wishing you the best!

[@ML-bl9qc]

I have mild to moderate dry eyes. I tried tretinoin around the eyes and it caused severe dry eye symptoms that I've never experienced. I stopped using tretinoin , then my eyes went back to baseline. So i tried using retinaldehyde around the eyes and tretinoin for the rest of the face, no problem for my eyes. I've been using the combo for the past 6 months.

[@Lovebirdd]

Define around the eyes please? ON the eyelid, or around the lower eye, i.e crow's feet area? I'm trying to make a decision lol

[@ML-bl9qc]

@@Lovebirdd originally I put tretinoin on the lower eyelids. Now I'm using retinaldehyde all around my eyes including upper eyelids with no problem.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Good to hear! Thanks for sharing this.

[@Lovebirdd]

@@ML-bl9qc thank you.

[@mx_moi1964]

@@ML-bl9qcur not supposed to put it on your eyes at ALL

[@AIWORLD88]

I'm glad I found this post. I've started diligently using retinol product on my face, and around my eyes morning and night since end of November 2023. I do notice that my eyes feel so uncomfortable lately. I went to Optamologist 3 weeks ago, and she told me that my eyes were super dry. I don't know if there is a connection or not between the 2, but I will take precaution from now on just in case. I won't be using it around my eyes any longer. Thank you Dr. Allen for your posts. They are very educational, clear, and easy to understand. Not only you explain to us the pros, but also the cons. The good, the bad, and the ugly 👍 I hope you continue to be true and sincere in making your posts, and not be swayed by any upcoming sponsors 😊🙏

[@auricia201]

I don't get it. Most people here say they got dry eye while using the stuff, and since they stopped, it got better. But the doctor said the damage to the meibomian glands was permanent, soo 🤔 what's up with that? It doesn't add up

[@FluffiB3]

I've been using topical tretinoin, and I've been battling dry eyes. I used to be able to wear contacts all day but now only a few hours. Rewetting drops don't help much (actually makes it worse in the dry winter months, suspecting due to humectant with dry air). I had no idea that it was a side effect! I wasn't using it on my eyelids but was around the eyes. I now apply it to only lower 1/3 of my face, and it's slowly getting better. Once the tube is gone, I am not refilling it! There are so many people talking about it on reddit. I just hope that it didn't cause permanent damage.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

THanks for the feedback! I would be sure to let your doctor know about your experiences! I don't go on Reddit too often but I should check it out more.

[@kathyn1343]

I have had the same experience! My eyes have become significantly dry over the past few years and I had no idea it could be because of using tretinoin! I have been using it for over 20 years and NOT ONE dermatologist has ever mentioned it. Neither has my eye doctor. Very frustrating. I will stop using it around my eyes and see if there is any improvement. Thank you!

[@babdullah5025]

Me too. I am on my first tube ever and it's going to be the last. My eys/vision are more important. I'm suffering dry eye now after a few months tretinoin use.

[@SqueakyLittleMouse]

Confirmed with my optometrist that taking oral isotretinoin killed some of my meibomian glands but using tropical tretinoin did not.

[@Blue_Azure101]

Yes oral and topical has different targets

[@jrzills403]

Congratulations, Dr Allen !!! Thanks for all the valuable information.

[@anngoff6226]

This is so timely!! I just started retin- A about a month ago. And my eyes are now so dry!! Help! Thank you for bringing this to our attention! So many people push this as the gold standard for aging. Just know not every trend is good for everybody 3:08

[@mx_moi1964]

Do you put it on your eyes?? Cuz ur not supposed to

[@fishbone9159]

Do you use it around the eyes?

[@maalikserebryakov]

Topical tretinoin is not permanent in its effects.

[@jonoave]

@@maalikserebryakovThe problem is if it leads to damaged melbomian glands around the eyes, that damage might take a long time to heal or the damage might not be reversible.

[@katzenkind6835]

@@jonoave This. And it is feels so creepy to me too. Like ... my glands in the eyes are damaged and won't produce enough oil, but the rest of my skin does it?

[@adrianmilian5002]

I’ve been using tretinon for a long time, in my orbital bone very close to the eyes and I’ve never suffered from dry eye. But one should always be very careful and pay attention to your body and how it reacts to everything.

[@vltree]

Really appreciate you discussing this topic! As a long term user of tretonoin who has been suffering from dry eye, I heard about this potential causal relationship a few years ago, and like you, I could not find any research evidence on this. As much as I'd like to pretend there is no potential risk (because I love the effects of tretonoin on my skin and I even use it in my eye area), the impact is high if true (since the meibomian gland loss is permanent). So it is important people should be made aware of this. The use of retinols in skincare is such a lucrative business and so I hope there is enough money to fund more research on its effects on our eye health.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment. And yes, I can't image how lucrative the cosmetic industry is when it comes to the use of retinol and other anti-aging products.

[@theresecornelius812]

You are so helpful! I have MGD, and have used retinol in skin products over the years, specifically ROC night cream. Don’t know if that did anything but I definitely used it around my eyes. I also got prescription tretinoin and used it for a couple years for anti-aging. Once I saw your videos, I made sure I washed my hands afterwards and kept it far from my eyes. We can easily rub the cream in our hands esp at night and forget it’s still on there, and rub your eyes. Do be careful. I wash mine now if I use it. I did Tear Care (?) and had my glands expressed in an office. $500 for both eyes but helped them for about 2 years. I will probably do it again to prevent them from dying.

[@sarakennedy2288]

Yep! I'm 57 and started to develop classic dry eye 3 years ago. I confused it with allergies from our pets and a low humidity environment of around 15%. I used retin-A for a few years, avoiding getting too close to the eye - but I know now it migrates both on the surface and in the deeper cellular layers. I also did botox every 4 mos around crows feet. Dry eye sx worsened to a debilitating degree. Saw dry eye specialist. Rx'd Lotimax, Omega 3, warm mask, etc. I told him about the tretinoin, and he wasn't familiar with it being a complicating factor. I stopped using it anyway after I read the research. And no more botox around my eyes, either. As a result I have MGD, not sure the stage but it feels like most of those little guys are gone. Thx for mentioning the newly approved Rx. Sounds like that might help me.

[@partialartsblackbelt8384]

Thank you for putting this info out

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Absolutely! thank you for watching and sharing!

[@tgvbho]

I love the way you talk in this video

[@deborahgibson5794]

I was on Accutane almost 4 years ago and took it for 6 half months in October 2019 through April April 2020. I experienced dry eyes halfway through the treatment. I used eye gel drops and preservative free ones. It was a game changer! It helped so much. However, a couple months after i completed the treatment i still had severe dry eyes that was effecting my vision looking at tv screens, computer screens or whatever. Sometimes worse at night ( i already had a little bit of astigmatism) it gradually got worse and i was prescribed glasses for driving at night and to wear when i had to look at computer screens all day from my job. I had mgd and the eye dr prescribed the omega 3s. I also did the lipiflow treatment, and it really helped my dry eyes! I also used the brudder eye mask and goggles at home. I occasionally experience dry eyes, and use the bruder mask. I also learned i sleep with my eyelids slightly open as well. I learned that from one of my follow up appts with the eye dr because of where my eyes were mostly dried at. This totally makes sense because i actually remember trying to open my eyes when im napping on the couch. One more thing, i do not use any tretinoin topical around my eyes or otc face creams around my eyes either.

[@FIN-LYTbyEWA]

Super fascinating - thanks for sharing!

[@Doritohottie09]

Thank you so much for covering this!!!! I've been trying to dig up this info over the past few months as I really love what tretinoin does for my skin, but I notice that even when I stay well away from my eyes, I feel a slight degree of discomfort in them the next day. I'm dialing back the frequency of tretinoin application over the week to see if subsides. However, when I was using 0.05% every night, my eyes would feel very dry the next day, and I'd need to use eye drops.

[@katzenkind6835]

Same!

[@kevinhanley6462]

Thanks for the advice.

[@hellolindasau]

I never knew! Thanks for sharing

[@carrie_lol]

Jesus. I don’t use these two products but they’re so commonplace that it’s crazy this is the first time ive heard of the side effects on the eyes ! do dermatologists not mention it to their patients?

[@organicoliveoil2007]

Not really but if they do, they say they’re temporary side effects that goes away after finishing treatment

[@jaynegallagher9379]

Yes they do! I've worked for 3 derms and we warn all patients

[@auricia201]

You're talking about the most common side effects of skin irritation and sensibility. When derms mention side effects to the eye, I'm sure they wouldn't say it's temporary ​@@organicoliveoil2007

[@mggt4684]

I can speak only for myself but I've been going to 3 different dermatologist and nobody told me about these side effects. I even asked directly cause I was feeling like my eyes getting dryer and one of them told me that yeah that might happen but should pass in the future.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I like to think they mention it, but I have spoken to a few that did not know it caused such long-term damage to the glands. It has not been a standard of care to image and track gland loss when put on Accutane but i read a recent publication that does suggest it.

[@djayjp]

Took Accutane for years and never had an issue with dry eyes.

[@marywidener1409]

Yes, I have used retinol around my eyes. I have dry eyes. I don’t know if they are related but I have to believe they very well could be 😢

[@josieweatherhead4269]

Hi Dr. Allen! I have been viewing your videos for a few months now since I was diagnosed with dry eye. I’m a 28 year old female and have atrophied glands on my right and left lower lids 😔 this has been such a nightmare for me and I am very sad about this, but also realize that it was my fault. I was prescribed Tretinoin in 2017 for my acne and had used it for 5-6 years - I was not careful about using it around my eyes and actually, in my vanity, I would purposely use it as an “eye cream” because of its anti-aging effects. Well, now I have DED and it’s all my fault! Obviously I’ve ceased using any type of Retin A and acne medication. I am using more all natural products and doing my best taking care of my eyes with the help of my eye doctor. I just wanted to post this comment so hopefully others can know that yes, these commonly-prescribed acne medications do have extreme implications. It is not worth it in my opinion. I would do just about anything to go back in time and never use Tretinoin, and keep and be grateful for my healthy, white eyes. Edited for grammatical errors

[@auricia201]

Sorry about your eyes, but you literally said you put it around the eyes on purpose. How can you then conclude that Any tretinoin use is bad just because you had side effects by using it wrong?

[@josieweatherhead4269]

Hi there! Thank you for your comment. In my opinion, it is dangerous because it can cause irreparable damage to the eyes. Not everyone is going to heed the instructions of their derm. or the side effects listed in the smallest print on the prescription. Also, the cream can migrate during the night with tossing and turning around on your pillowcase, and it is kind of inevitable that some of the cream will at some point end up near, on on your eyes. To me, it is not worth it and it is not a safe product. The damage it causes to eyes and meibomain glands, like I've mentioned, cannot be corrected. If I could go back in time, I never would have used it at all! But this is just my experience. I posted on here because I want others to be totally in the know before using such products and to be extremely careful if this is the route they choose to help their acne etc. @@auricia201

[@auricia201]

@@josieweatherhead4269 well, that's one of the reasons why it is a drug and not a cosmetic. And when it come to drugs, we Always need to use it as instructed and mind the side effects. We can't just ban drugs because someone might use it wrong... But of course, since it's always a balance between risk and benefit, and being the main goal, anti aging, a cosmetic one, we shouldn't be willing to risk health for it. However, if you don't put it around the eyes, use it a few hours before going to sleep, by the time you get to bed it will already have been absorbed and it's pretty improbable that it would get to your eyes

[@Putiferio541]

I have used Tretinoin for about 35 years. I was always careful about avoiding eye area. I was offered Accutane and declined it about a couple of decades ago. Never had any dry issues until last year when I had Lasik. Started using Omega 3 and warm compresses plus PF drops which helps. I recently had another eye surgery so that has exacerbated things a bit. BTW I do look much younger than my mid-60's.

[@EchelonBritt]

I would give anything to have my healthy eyes back. Damaged my eyes with Tretinoin cream years ago and doing everything I can to salvage my eyes it’s been traumatic

[@babdullah5025]

I have been using tretinoin for a few months and I'm suffering from terrible dry eye😢

[@lookingatdaisies9901]

This is good to know before i started using retinol

[@myrzamarilyslassus956]

Thanks for the information.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

You bet! 👍 thanks for watching and sharing!

[@Palestinethegreat]

Hello Dr., thank you for all the great videos. I’ve learned so much from you and I’m extremely thankful. Not every doctor has the time to educate his patients and having you give out all this information for free has been life-changing. I know this is a bit off-topic, but I had a PRK surgery done two years ago and I’ve had some complications. Things are stable now, and I am going to have to undergo another PRK surgery, my question is I recall the first time I did the PRK surgery the prednisone really took her to on my health, I am really nervous to do the second surgery and I was wondering if there are better or other alternatives to the prednisone eyedrops thank you.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thanks for asking and I appreciate you watching and all the kind words. It is a bummer to hear the PRK did not go as smoothly as planned the first time around. Unfortunately, topical steroid eye drops are very important for the proper healing after PRK. Do you recall what kind of reaction you had to the steroids? Some of my patients have thought they had a reaction to steroid eye drops but we later found that it was more of an allergy to the preservatives in the drops and things went much better with preservative-free steroid eye drops - just a thought.

[@mamabirdjr3194]

I used differin around my eyes for a couple of years. In 2021, I developed massive dry eye and atopic dermatitis. It seems like my skin decided it no longer wanted to deal with adapalene. I have eczema flares every time I've tried to use it since. I'm now on several medications to treat both dry eye and atopic dermatitis which flares the worst around my eye lids and undereye. I may try lighter retinols in the future on my skin, but definitely not around my eyes. Thanks for the video, doc!

[@Name..........]

Adapalene is a lighter retinol....

[@katzenkind6835]

@@Name.......... Yes, but in my country, for example, it still is prescription only. There are still much lighter retinols out there. And if you already have sensitive and thin skin (like me), it still can cause a good deal of damage ;(.

[@devdaniel666]

Thank you! I just started to do that...

[@Absurdity101]

I started putting compounded tret 0.05%/ Azelaic acid 15% underneath my eyes lids and have been experiencing immense watering of my eyes. Almost like I’m crying. That only happens when I step outside and the humidity is high. I have been doing it for months. I have my eye doctor appointment soon I will update when I can.

[@maryoneil1468]

Tearing could be a sign of dry eyes also

[@HugsXO]

I had had sinus surgery, but unfortunately, an artery/vein was buried in scar tissue from a previous sinus surgery. My doctor stopped the surgery and woke up to find I was blind in my right eye. He explained that the best eye doctor in San Diego was coming to do a nerve decompression and anything else to help save my eyesight. (NO, I DID NOT SUE. IT WAS NOT NEGLIGENCE. Fortunately, a portion of my eyesight returned, yet my eye started to dry out, and he prescribed Blink eye drops. I recently started using an eye cream with retinol, and my left eye has become very red and dry. 🙄 It's only been 2 weeks, I hope I haven't damaged the oil glands permanently and will STOP using it around my upper eyelids. I'm so glad I found your videos. Thank you.

[@ChristinaV4285]

I've used retinol for years. I've stopped. But i was putting the serum under my eyes for a while, maybe a year and i was experiencing bad dry eyes. I have stopped using it and found i benefit better without the retinol. It's just not worth the risk for me. Thank you for this info!

[@christh1822]

I got accutane in 2022 and after my 6 month dose I was using prescription topical tretinoin on face. When I used the tretinoin on my face, I wasn’t educated enough at that point to know not to put it anywhere around my eyes so after a couple months from doing so I developed severe dry eye to the point where I had to use eye drops everyday to then using eye ointment to see clearly. I now don’t use any drops or ointment and can function without using it and just have some mild dry eye and impaired vision from time to time but definitely learned my lesson. Accutane & Tretinion are very strong so be careful…

[@ggwhhbb1822]

woow this is so informative. i am a retin a user and will avoid it around eyes

[@karlaharvey2623]

Hi Dr. Allen, thank you so much for making this video re: Retinol around the eyes. I’ve been using Dr. Dennis Gross triple retinol eye gel around my eyes for two yrs and I had stopped using it as when I wake up the next morning, my eyes are sooo dry and irritated. Even when I do not apply a moisturizer around the orbital bone it causes my eyes to burn and be inflamed. I’ve had cataract surgery bilat. But now, thanks to you, I will stop using retinol all together around my eyes. 😢😭 I must say, it has helped diminish fine lines and wrinkles, but Iam sick of my eyes being so dry.

[@STEDDiEFPV]

I took Accutane for I don't know maybe 9 months about 8 years ago, I am now suffering from dry eyes. if you're here researching about isotretinoin for acne, my advice is DO NOT DO IT! Find alternative ways to treat your acne. Having clear skin is absolutely not worth the debilitating condition that dry eye is.

[@OO-il7ro]

Thank you for this video. I’ve seen posts on Reddit from people who have dry eye due to retinol. Do you know if the same could apply with bakuchiol? Is that safe to apply around your eyes?

[@ToRung]

*_hello ❤😍🌹 have good day_*

[@carmenbucher8764]

When I was young I was treated with Isotretinoin. It was not only 1 but 3 therapies through the years. Since my forties I’m suffering more than ever from the sicca syndrom. It was so bad that the doctor had to „close“ my tear points with a special procedure in hospital last year, because all the standard treatements including plug ins and serum eye drops didn’t work. I‘m diagnosed with „severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca“. The problems began in my mid-thirties and got intense with menopause. Luckily, the definite closing of the 4 tear points helped, but it took me years to get this procedure. So I would never allow my teenage daughter to take Isotretinoin.

[@dio60707]

I have really dry eyes. I have taken Accutane and use Retin A frequently. However, I realized I have had dry eyes since I was a teenager due to blepharitis and allergies. I've also noticed that if my skin starts getting more oily my dry eyes worsen. I have never been able to tolerate contact lenses and swimming pools are awful for my eyes. Because my eyes are so sensitive I don't see an improvement if I stop using tretinoin. So I can't really say that tretinoin causes dry eye because mine were bad to begin with. What if people who suffer acne or oily skin (and because of this use tretinoin or isotretinoin) are more prone to dry eye?

[@marionym5969]

I wish I knew about these side effects before. I used tretinoin for only 6-7 times in a bit more than two weeks. I stopped 1 week ago due to severe dryness. I never experienced dryness like this before in my life. Trust me this is different than your dry eyes from not drinking enough water. People love their tretinoin so much that they go so far to tell me that it doesn’t cause dry eyes. I know 100 % it’s from tret because it started on first night of application. I am terrified that this will be permanent after only a few applications. I looked at the glands they still look normal but I have been waking up with these dry eyes causing me headaches because they feel so strained and no eye drops help. Has anyone experienced similar? Did it get better with time?

[@dorynicol4382]

I stopped 4 weeks ago and no improvement yet :(

[@marionym5969]

⁠so sorry. Did you use topical tretinoin?

[@dorynicol4382]

No actually, I only used topical Retinal. I used it for a couple of months and my eyes got worse and worse. I didn't know what was causing it until I stumbled across a post of Reddit. I can't believe this is not talked about more. Has your dryness got better?

[@marionym5969]

@@dorynicol4382I know :( it did get slightly better but then they did exams with numbing drops and dialating drops and now they are so bad with no improvement in sight but I heard of some people getting better.

[@marionym5969]

@@dorynicol4382unfortunately not. It got worse with eye exams. I think from the use of dilating drops.

[@Lvmykidos2]

I started using tretinoin in 2019. In 2020 (boy, that was a rough year!), I started having issues with MGD severely along with styes very frequently. I always suspected that it was the tretinoin because I did use it pretty close to my eyes around that time, even though my eye dr didn’t seem to think tret was a factor. I also have other risk factors, being older, wearing contacts since I was 16, and have hypothyroidism. So I stopped using tretinoin for around 6 months until I could get the MGD under control and be able to wear my contacts again. It worked! I still use tretinoin on my face, but I am careful not to get it too close to my eyes. My MGD is controlled with an eye mask heating pad for about 10-15 minutes at least one to two times a week, followed by a gentle massage. I still wear my contacts with no issues, and I have not had a stye in quite sometimes.

[@AlwaysSummer63]

I have definitely experienced this as well and it’s terrifying. I began to notice that my eyes felt really dry and gritty the next day after using tretinoin. The dryness would lessen over the next few days and begin again after I’d use the tretinoin again. I never used it near my eyes and still had this experience. I now only use it once a week to my cheeks and keep it completely away from my eyes.

[@smooth_pursuit]

Yikes. I have a retinol stick specifically for the eye area! Only been using it a couple of months, guess I’ll stop since I already have dry eye 😳

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

well, again there is no published clinical evidence showing it causes dry eye or MGD, but there is that concern by dry eye specialists - best thing to do is talk to your eye doctors and observe if there are changes. But the choice is always up to you.

[@smooth_pursuit]

@@DoctorEyeHealth thanks for replying!

[@lovesdogs8616]

Good info, if there’s a connection, then there’s a connection.

[@puggirl415]

I have MGD and rosacea. I have used retinol once or twice a week for a couple of years with no additional problems. What did help me was a prescription for Ivermectin topical cream which I have been applying to my face and around my eyes to get rid of Demodex mites which I apparently am sensitive to. I appreciate your channel so much. When I was first diagnoses with MGD I was told so many ridiculous ways to treat it. You offered real information that allowed me to get my MGD protocol just right for me. I use micellar water to clean my eyelids. I supplement omega 3 oils every single day. I Use Optimel as my daily eye drop and a good wetting eyedrop on the go for dryness. I use ivermeectin cream on my face morning and night to keep the mites from triggering flares of rosacea and no longer get styes from mite infection in my Mebomian glands. I got most of my ideas from your content. I now forget that I have dry eye. I don't have the something is in my eye feeling anymore. I am pleased with the knowledge I got from this channel and some additional research. Thank you Dr. Eye Health and congratulations on hitting a million subscribers. You deserve it so much.

[@emobean]

really wish I knew this before I started accutane.

[@celesteamaral5498]

I have used retin-a for over 30 years. I do now have dry eyes. I will stop using it around the eye. I never heard of this before. Thanks for enlightening me.

[@pattyfluegel7816]

having used retin A for 30 years did it work? Does your skin look fabulous?

[@blancespresso]

I believe for 30 years using retinol also hinting aging, dry eyes are one of the sign of aging rather than result from long term retinol use

[@lorainewills7269]

I started using a Retinol eye cream about 10 years ago and was told last year that I have Dry Eye, not that I needed to be told that I had a problem. Every morning I wake to painful eyelids that I have to prize open because they are crusted shut. I now use a hot compress but I’m beginning to feel like it’s too little too late 😕

[@alg8884]

@DoctorEyeHealth, you just answered a longstanding question for me. I often times notice burning and dry eyes once I go out after a couple hours each day especially when the day is hot having lathering my face prior with my moisturizer containing retinol (and sunscreen). It seems that the heat causes the lather to eventually creep into my eyes resulting in dryness and burning. This is exacerbated by the heat also gradually causing the oil from my own skin to build up resulting in the moisturizer gradually shifting downwards with some ending up on my eyelids.

[@fishbone9159]

So if I use retinol but spare the space around the eyes I should be safe, right? Thanks for this important information though! And I think it's irresponsible that no one of all the dermatologists on KZbin talk about it. Hope this video makes people aware and spreads the message all over the internet.

[@Cooliorodriguez94]

Will you ever do a video on probing?

[@elizabethfield8816]

Thank you for this very informative video. I have dry eye and use Tretinoin, but I am very careful to not use around my eyes. If you get too close, yes it will make dry eye worse. I see my ophthalmologist this week and I will ask him about Miebo.

[@doejohn2447]

Can I still use tretitnoin, but AVOID the eye area? Or is it still bad? I tend to moisturize and then Tretinoin and then another layer of moisturizer. Will this type of application help?

[@zhugeliang3905]

Thank Doc

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching!

[@Bonklers]

Offered Accutane today. Will not be taking it. I'll keep trying other things that help reduce the shoulder acne. My face is a lot clearer after a lot of product work. Accutane freaks me out. My gut feels like it would cause an issue with me either immediately or down the road.

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

I took it 25-30 years ago. I think it was a 6 month course. I don't know if that led to my vision symptoms now but it did cure the acne. Nothing else worked, I tried for years but Accutane did work.

[@ljfire100]

I am suffering from this side effect from accutane. Dry eyes and dry lips. I went to my eye doctor during my accutane journey and my eye doctor said “what’s accutane?” I’ve accepted that i will use eye drops the rest of my life. Skin clear tho!!

[@curlyhairdudeify]

My brother had severe acne. Was put on IST too, now he gets those eyelid zits every now and them.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

It's hard for me to imagine your eye doctor not knowing about accutane/ isotretinoin - its been around since the 1970s and is taught in schools as an example of how horrible birth defects can come from medications. Perhaps they just never heard of the brand name Accutane? LOL - either way, happy to hear your skin is doing well, at least.

[@arymhansie]

Change your doctor, Accutane is world famous for treating acne!

[@organicoliveoil2007]

What was your TBUT before and after with your fish oil video?

[@xyz_user122]

Will staying 1.5 inches away from the eyes suffice? Or is retinol still going to reach that area?

[@alecmuellervisuals61]

I'm starting isotretinoin for acne this week. Is there a way to prevent damage to these eye oil glands or the development of MGD? Are these symptoms imminant? I'm planning to begin taking Omega-3s. Anything else I can do to prevent these issues?

[@annarose8460]

What about retinyl palmitate? It’s in one of the eyelid wipes you recommend (Hylawipes) but is a form of retinol.

[@sirislyurdumb]

I used accutane 10 years ago for about seven months. I never remember this side effect being mentioned.

[@kimmossige263]

Hi. Please, can you be spesific, should we stop using the cream all together or is it only around the eyes? I'm on cordes vas now and I want to know.

[@Ben-kc1yh]

I have been been being treated for Meibomian Gland dysfunction since Oct of 2023. This week my eye doctor had to manually extract it after treating it with an IPL. I found this video interesting because the 1st part of 2023 I had been using a retinoid cream. I will be discussing this with my optometrist at my next appointment.

[@the_master_of_cramp]

I experimented many times and I get more extreme irritated/dry eyes from many artificial cremes that if I put them on my face. I even seem to get more irritated/dry eyes if I put sunscreen on my neck or lower part of the face.

[@GenkiDamaSSJ]

What about the Retinol (Vitamin A) in the Optase Hylo ointment you recommended in past videos?

[@TheDutchGuyOnYT]

Other question: what’s your opinion about products like the Apple Vision Pro? Short distance screens? And the IR scanning like Face ID?

[@maliabella]

Ive been using retin-a for 10 years, not directly around my eyes, but I have had no eye issues. I am not surprised by the dry eye impacts of accutane. It is one of the most concerning consequences of the drug. Although accutane is a life saving drug.

[@curlyhairdudeify]

Does it apply to regular retinol serums? Or pharmaceutical Rx grade retinol? I don't know. I have oily skin, and I don't see, nor feel a difference; my scalp, face, chest, and back still feels oily.

[@nicolab4525]

Following your channel since my diagnosis of Glaucoma after attending hospital > eye pain / closure due to an ulcer on cornea, this is when I also found out the pressures in my eyes were high then an ultrasound shown narrow angle glaucoma age 40. I have severe dry eyes - Blepharitis and year round hayfever. Rain, wind, sunlight, pollen, all affect my eyes causing severe watery- itchy eyes. I use Monopost drops (glaucoma) & Thealoz Duo (dry eye) Perservative free > I have had no joy at all with dry eye drops. Any advise (UK) thank you

[@user-mw4fy8cg3b]

@DoctorEyeHealth , can you make video on I am getting tears out of my eyes simply there is no reason why it comes I took some drops suggested by eye doctor for 2 months if I take it I don't get tears but when I stop them I again get tears is there any permanent solution for it

[@_anyone5962]

Thank you doc! I just started using Retinol cream, and I better avoid eye area!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I think that's a safe choice, but still a good thing to discuss with your doctor if they prescribed it for you.

[@steelcutoaths3033]

I’ve used retinol creams formulated for the eye area, but found them too strong for that area for me. I still use retinol on my face, but I only use eye creams around the eyes area. I’d be curious to hear if there is any other research (or musings) about other eye cream ingredients’ impact on the eyes.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

yes, I hope to schedule a livestream with a guest expert to help us with makeup, eye creams, suncreen ect.

[@puggirl415]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Please have them tell us if getting eyelash extensions also cause dry eye. I had them a few times in the last 5 years and they always tell you to avoid washing the area with anything but just to splash water on your eyes. That seems like a prescription for problems with mebomian glands. Would love to know.

[@leif1075]

​@DoctorEyeHealth Thanks for sharing Dr. Allen. May I hang out with you some time? Hope to hear from you!

[@laminarthos8211]

Curious to what you think about an over counter Retinal? Which isn't as potent as Tretinoin.

[@Talhasarwar47]

I took isotretinoin in 2019 for 5 months to treat my severe acne. And ever since I have been religiously using tretinoin a prescription retinoid to keep my acne under control. I have not experienced any dry eye symptoms like irritation, however I find difficulty to wear contact lenses. I can’t wear them more than 6 hours. I also experienced this before taking isotretinoin. If I talk about tretinoin, I avoid putting too close to my eyes. For me neither isotretinoin nor tretinoin showed any dry eyes symptoms. This is my experience.

[@Woods10995]

I was diagnosed with dry eye before all this. Now I am on Tretinoin and I can’t stand how dry my eyes are at school. I’m getting lopsided vision and blurryness. I’m supposed to get started on acutane in 2 weeks too.

[@sumguy9687]

So now I’m wondering if you should not use retinol containing creams on the eye lids? 🤔

[@l.mack89]

I've been using ROC Retinol Correxion eye cream for under eye wrinkles and crow's feet. Should I discontinue use?

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

I recently commented on another video requesting information about acne and acutine and whether or not there was any correlation or causation to MGD. It's fun to think that maybe my comment was read and lead to this video. Super great information here. Also interesting that in another comment on this video somebody mentioned a study regarding acne (without acutene) and it's causation of MGD.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I have wanted to make this video for awhile but yes, I think your comment did motivate me to make this earlier! thanks!

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Thanks for making all this great material. You are helping a lot of people understand their conditions and make better treatment decisions 👍👍👍

[@McAwesome363]

I've been using topical tretinoin for over 7 years now but I only apply it to the undereye area, not the eyelids or upper eye area. Never had issues with dry eyes.

[@punithapuu5130]

Thank you doc for explaining this, I am having a bad experience for the same. I have dry eyes from years and now I started to treat it naturally and one of the reason I got is because of retinal cream on my face, please before or after consulting do your research for the side effects

[@mireillefiola-hein1567]

I used only 2-3 sample sized tubes of tretinoin cream on my face and around my eyes in 2015. I did not realize it at the time - but concurrently, I developed severe dry eye. I still suffer badly with dry, red eyes. I have tried Restasis - had punctal plugs (which helped but were removed after 90 days and never replaced). I have currently been undergoing IPL treatments since April 2023. So far - not much improvement. It is heartily disappointing that I may have ruined my eyes because I used samples of a product that a plastic surgeon gave me.

[@my_moods_4892]

I'm using retinol but i never apply it around the eye so,in my situation can retinol affect my eye or not?

[@bitmoji3718]

Yes, i developed dry eyes after using retinol moisturizer. I immediately stopped using & recovered after few days.

[@litosbb]

I took Accutane for a year at a low dose (10mg & 5mg), and now I am dealing with severe dry eyes. I was unaware of this side effect, if I had known, I would never have taken it. The issue is that my Meibomian Glands are not completely damaged, there's just a slight loss (20-30%) of these glands. However, I believe isotretinoin may have also affected the lacrimal gland. While I am slowly improving, it has been a year since I finished the treatment, and I am losing hope of a full recovery. Dry eyes are extremely debilitating, and I would prefer to have my acne back, or even three times the acne, instead of dealing with dry eyes.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Well I know there is a new medication in trials that is an injection that goes into the lacrimal gland. It is supposed to help it produce more tears and help heal the eyes surface. Fingers crossed it works!

[@Sparkle-go2cs]

Hi, I had a question. Are intermediate glasses computer glasses, or are reading glasses computer glasses? I have been prescribed computer glasses with +0.50 SPH and astigmatism correction, but when I go buying my glasses on Eyebuydirect, it says for near object (reading) or (intermediate). I am so confused. I don’t know if I should get the intermediate glasses or the reading glasses for computer glasses. I would be so happy if you could answer this. Thank you!

[@auricia201]

Concentration and activity of the molecule should be taken into account. Just because oral isotretinoin causes dry eye, jumping to "any tretinoin derivative will too" is a big stretch. Retinol esthers don't even have the same effect on the skin (if any), so to say we should also avoid them in the eye area is waaay overzealous. The theoretical link is there though, so it would be interesting to see studies on it.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

100% agree!!!

[@vltree]

That is very true and as an older person with dry eye I would like see there is no casual relationship on this, because I love the effects of retinol on my skin. But the impact is high (losing meibomian glands if true) and there is also some anecdotal evidence, so I really appreciate this topic being brought up.

[@jmc8076]

True but when it comes to eye health IMO better to be safe.

[@memoonasaeed4408]

I'm optometrist on accutane and i can assure i got chronic dry eyes from previous courses😢

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Have you ever measured your meibomian gland loss?

[@memoonasaeed4408]

@@DoctorEyeHealth never because we don't have such facilities nearby

[@pattyfluegel7816]

Its interesting as an optometrist you would make that choice.

[@sitoh382]

Can you please adress anti androgens such as finasteride? Dry eyes is not listed as a side effect but there are many anecdotes of people who have it including myself

[@SPQRIUS]

hi been working with L-Carnosine drops and it's starting to work - it's take a while and I use it a bit differently then the package suggests - but I am seeing a difference - so who can I talk to? Is there an prescription for humans I can get? I know this is new and I heard there's some research in the UK, but anything happening in the USA? Thanks Oh one problem I do have and hope you cover this, the weaker eye is crossing when reading - what is suggested? at least until my vision is restored thanks

[@BlingyBea]

I asked my Opthamologist about RetinA causing dry eyes and she said do not put underneath the upper or lower eye skin. I’ve been using ReinA for the past 6 years and I never get it close to my eye area. I’ve had dry eyes after I had cataract surgery back in 2008, I just turned 70 and I wasn’t using any RetinA or retinol products.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Dry eye is pretty complex and can be caused by many things, dry eyes after cataract surgery is not too uncommon - possibly from all the eye drops needed for the procedure, or increased levels of inflammation from the surgery. Either way though, hope you are doing well.

[@BlingyBea]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Eye surgeons or Ophthalmologists need to let their patients know that they could in fact get dry eyes after cataract surgery, I was never told. My Eye Surgeon was Dr. Steven Slade in Houston, he’s a well known surgeon that I was referred to.

[@danalevinson3242]

I was using topical tretinoin regularly for about six months. And no one ever told me not to use it around my eyelids and that’s where I was starting to get some fine lines so I used it on that area fairly regularly. Never had issues with dry eyes before. And very quickly within the span of a few months I developed severe severe dry eye, at one point I was in so much pain I couldn’t keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes at a time. And while I’ve had a meibography and have no gland loss, they are very very clogged all the time. And my eyelids are always just a tiny bit puffy and swollen. The only thing that has helped at all has been IPL. I recently started on a cyclosporine drop. I’m hoping that helps some with at least the pain from the inflammation. I know whether or not it actually helps Meibomian glands is debatable. My doctor did diagnose me with ocular rosacea which I know cyclosporine can be helpful for. Unfortunately can’t really do warm compresses cause I’ve discovered they’re a major trigger for my ocular rosacea and wind up causing a lot of pain in my eyelids when I do them consistently. Anyway, while at first I thought the topical tretinoin caused MG atrophy and that was responsible for my rather sudden onset dry eye… the fact that my glands aren’t really atrophied (thank God and knock wood they stay that way) and the fact that my doctor said I have a “classic case of rosacea blepharitis” makes me think it wasn’t actually the topical tretinoin because it seems unlikely that it would cause ocular rosacea. But the timing is still suspicious. But I tend to lean toward correlation rather than causation these days.

[@JaxDianne]

🙋🏻‍♀️ Had my first chalazion (along with permanent ringing in my R ear) when I got COVID-19 (Omicron). Have had 4 chalazions since. I previously used Neutrogena retinol eye cream in the little silver tube on my eyes, and I still use Tretinoin on my face (not my eyes). I go to an ophthalmologist office, but only thing suggested was Fish Oil. How do I find a dry eye specialist? What equipment name is used to just scan MGlands? I live near Memphis, TN.

[@sammartyn76]

Would you be doing a video on terriens marginal degeneration? it’s a rare disease of the cornea i was diagnosed with a few years ago but there is not much information out there on the internet