The dry eye dilemma: how to combat dry eyes while using isotretinoin

Oral isotretinoin, also known as Oratane or Roaccutane, is a gold-standard treatment for stubborn acne.

Despite how effective oral isotretinoin can be in healing difficult-to-treat acne, there are some side effects too, and it’s important to understand them so they can be effectively managed throughout your treatment journey.

One of these side effects is dry eyes.

In a recent study from Zakrewska et al of 24 patients, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was used to measure the impact of oral isotretinoin on eyes during and after treatment.

Researchers found that oral isotretinoin can impact the meibomian glands, a sebaceous gland located within the eyelids, leading to dry eyes. However, this improved after the completion of treatment.

But what does this look like in practice? From the study, it was found that the OSDI can be a useful screening tool that can be used in clinic pre-treatment, as well as throughout a patient’s oral isotretinoin journey. Not only this, but by proactively managing the symptoms of dry eyes, patients may find it easier to effectively follow their treatment plans.

Reference: Ophthalmol Ther 2023;12(4):2187-97.