Can montelukast cause dry eyes​?

Dry eyes are very common.

They can make your eyes feel sore, gritty, or watery.

Some people notice dry eye symptoms after starting a medicine and ask:

“Can montelukast cause dry eyes?”

The short answer is: it can for some people.

In this blog, we explain:

• What montelukast is
• What dry eye is
• How medicines can affect the eyes
• What symptoms to watch for

What help is available

What is montelukast?

Montelukast is a medicine.

It is often used to help treat:

• Asthma
• Hay fever
• Allergies

Montelukast works by calming swelling and irritation in the body.
This helps people breathe more easily and reduces allergy symptoms.

Why do medicines sometimes affect the eyes?

Medicines travel through the whole body.

Some medicines can:

• Change how tears are made
• Affect the oil glands in the eyelids
• Reduce moisture on the eye surface

This can sometimes lead to dry eyes.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye happens when:

• Your eyes do not make enough tears, or
• Your tears dry out too fast

Tears are very important.
They keep the eyes:

• Smooth
• Comfortable
• Clear

When tears don’t work well, eyes can feel sore.

Common dry eye symptoms

Dry eyes may cause:

• Burning or stinging
• A gritty or sandy feeling
• Red eyes
• Blurry vision
• Watery eyes
• Tired or heavy eyes

Symptoms may be worse:

• In the morning
• When using screens
• In dry air
• After taking certain medicines

Can montelukast cause dry eyes?

Montelukast is not a common cause of dry eye.
But some people do notice dry eye symptoms while taking it.

This may happen because:

• The medicine can affect tear balance
• Allergy changes can affect eye comfort
• The body reacts differently in each person

Not everyone who takes montelukast will get dry eyes.

Who may be more likely to notice dry eyes with montelukast?

Dry eyes may be more likely if you:

• Already have dry eyes
• Use screens a lot
• Wear contact lenses
• Have allergies
• Are over 40
• Take other medicines that cause dryness

Dry eye often has more than one cause.

Are allergy medicines linked to dry eyes?

Yes, some allergy medicines can make dry eye symptoms worse.

This includes:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Some inhalers

These medicines can reduce moisture in the body, including the eyes.

Should I stop taking montelukast if my eyes feel dry?

No.
You should never stop a medicine without speaking to your GP or specialist.

If your eyes feel dry:

• Note when symptoms started
• Mention it to your eye care professional
• Speak to your GP if needed

Dry eye can often be treated without changing your medicine.

How is dry eye checked?

A dry eye assessment looks at:

• Tear quality
• Tear stability
• Oil gland health
• Eyelid condition
• Signs of inflammation

This helps find the true cause of symptoms.

How is dry eye treated?

Dry eye treatment is personal.

Treatment may include:

• Preservative-free eye drops
• Warm eye masks
• Eyelid cleaning
• Lifestyle advice
• IPL treatment

Treating the cause helps symptoms improve.

Can dry eye improve even if I stay on montelukast?

Yes.

Many people:

• Stay on their medicine
• Treat dry eye at the same time
• Feel much more comfortable

Early treatment helps prevent symptoms from getting worse.

When should I seek help?

You should seek help if:

• Dry eye lasts more than a few weeks
• Eye drops don’t help
• Vision becomes blurry
• Eyes feel painful or very sore

Dry eye is easier to treat when caught early.

Why choose My Eye Clinic in Gosforth?

At My Eye Clinic, we:

• Look at the whole picture
• Check for medicine-related dry eye
• Offer modern dry eye treatments
• Create clear care plans

Our goal is healthy, comfortable eyes.

Take the dry eye suitability self-test

If dry eyes are affecting your daily life, help is available.

Take our quick dry eye suitability self-test to see if a dry eye assessment may be right for you.