Do Overactive Bladder Medications Cause Dry Eye? What You Should Know

Quick Summary:
If you’re taking medication for overactive bladder and your eyes have been feeling dry, gritty, or irritated lately, you’re not imagining things. Many of the most commonly prescribed OAB drugs can cause dry eye symptoms. In this article, we’ll explain why this happens, which medications are most likely to be involved, and what you can do to feel more comfortable—without stopping your bladder medication.

Why Your Eyes Might Be Dry After Starting OAB Medication

Overactive bladder medications are used to reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence. They work by calming the muscles in your bladder—but in the process, they can also reduce tear production and affect the health of your eyes.

Dry eye isn't always listed on the label, but it’s a common side effect that many people don’t recognize until the discomfort becomes too hard to ignore.

If you're experiencing:

• Burning or stinging in your eyes
  
• A sandy or gritty sensation
  
• Blurry vision that improves when you blink
  
• Redness, watering, or eye fatigue
  

...it could be linked to the medication you're taking.

Which Bladder Medications Can Cause Dry Eye?

Most OAB medications belong to a group called anticholinergics. These block certain nerve signals in your body to help relax your bladder. But those same signals also help your eyes make healthy tears.

Here are some of the most common OAB drugs and their brand names:

These medications come in pill, patch, or topical form.

How These Medications Affect Your Eyes

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

1. Less Tear Production

The nerves that help your eyes stay moist are the same ones these drugs calm down. That can mean fewer watery tears and more dryness.

2. Changes to the Tear Film

Your eyes rely on more than just water. They also need oil and mucus to keep tears stable. These drugs can reduce oil flow and mucus production, which makes tears evaporate faster and causes more irritation.

3. Impact on Oil Glands in the Eyelids

Over time, these medications can reduce activity in the meibomian glands—tiny oil glands in your eyelids. When these stop working properly, the tears evaporate too quickly and the eyes start to burn, itch, or feel tired.

The result is often a combination of dry eye types, which can be more stubborn to manage unless you catch it early.

How Common Is This?

Dry eye may not always be listed as a major side effect, but it’s more common than you’d think:

• Research shows that people taking multiple anticholinergic medications are at higher risk for dry eye
  
• A 2021 study found that dry eye symptoms are significantly more common in people on these types of medications
  
• Post-market reports from real-world patients link dry eye to drugs like oxybutynin, tolterodine, and darifenacin
  

If you’ve recently started one of these medications and noticed your eyes are more uncomfortable than usual, it’s very likely related.

What You Can Do to Relieve Dry Eye Symptoms

The good news: You don’t have to stop your bladder medication to feel better. Here are the most effective ways to manage dry eye symptoms while staying on treatment:

1. Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears

Start using eye drops that are gentle and safe to use several times a day. Look for ones labeled preservative-free. These help hydrate your eyes and reduce irritation. Peeq Pro’s collection of preservative-free eye drops contains many great options, especially if you wear contact lenses.

2. Add Warm Compresses to Your Routine

Using a heated eye mask once a day can help your eyelid oil glands function better. This helps keep the tears from evaporating too quickly.

3. Clean Your Eyelids

Try using a gentle eyelid cleanser or hypochlorous spray daily to keep your lash line clean and reduce inflammation. This helps support healthy tear flow.

4. Take Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3s can reduce inflammation and support oil gland function. You’ll need about 2000mg per day, so look for high-quality supplements made for eye health.

5. Supportive Habits at Home

• Use a humidifier to prevent dry indoor air
  
• Take regular breaks from screens
  
• Wear glasses outdoors to block wind and sun
  

These small changes can make a big difference in how your eyes feel each day.

When to See an Eye Doctor

If your eyes still feel uncomfortable even after trying these steps, it’s a good idea to see an optometrist who specializes in dry eye. They can:

• Test your tear production
  
• Check for gland blockages
  
• Look at the health of your eyelid margins
  
• Recommend prescription drops or in-office treatments if needed
  

Don’t wait too long, early treatment is the best way to avoid long-term damage or worsening symptoms.

Final Takeaway

If you're taking medication for an overactive bladder and your eyes are dry, red, or irritated, there's a strong chance your medication is involved. This doesn’t mean you need to stop the drug, but it does mean you can take steps to protect your eye health.