tear function in patients under treatment with isotretinoin

purpose: to investigate tear function in acne vulgaris patients who were treated with isotretinoin (accutane). methods: in this prospective clinical study, patients who were scheduled for isotretinoin (accutane) therapy for two months underwent complete eye examination.the best corrected visual acuity measurement, careful slit lamp examination of anterior segment, evaluation of break-up-time and schirmer test were performed. all examinations were repeated two months after treatment complation. results: thirty-nine patients entered the study. there were 5 patients complaining of eye strain, which rose to 19 patients after isotretinoin therapy (p<0.001). the tear break up time was 13±1 seconds which decreased to 9±1 (p<0.001) after therapy and the schirmer test was 22±2mm which was reduced to 18±5 mm (p<0.001).there were 4 patients with blepharitis before the treatment which rose to 19 patients after the end of isotretinoin treatment (p<0.001). conclusion: the most frequently observed side-effects were decreased tear break up time and alterations of the lid margin. isotretinoin causes dry eye by reducing the tear.