Anyone Else Experiencing BLOODSHOT EYES on ACCUTANE?

I’m Dr. Tanya Gill, OD and I see many patients who start ACCUTANE (isotretinoin)and then notice persistent redness. Are BLOODSHOT EYES normal? Is it more serious? Let’s dive into why ACCUTANE can lead to BLOODSHOT EYES and how to manage it.

Why ACCUTANE Can Cause RED BLOODSHOT EYES

ACCUTANE works by reducing oil production system‑wide. That’s fantastic for clearing acne but less ideal for your ocular surface. When your meibomian oil glands slow down, the tear film loses its oily barrier. Tears evaporate too quickly. Your eyes become irritated and inflamed. This is an inflammatory response and the tiny blood vessels (capillaries)on the surface of the eye dilate to compensate, which creates that persistent redness. 

In some cases, you may also notice a gritty or burning sensation. That feeling often accompanies BLOODSHOT EYES. If left unaddressed, it can progress to more severe dryness and discomfort.

When to See a DRY EYE SPECIALIST OPTOMETRIST

If your eyes are super red despite using over‑the‑counter PRESERVATIVE FREE eye drops, it’s time to see a professional. A thorough evaluation can measure tear quality and check MEIBOMIAN GLAND function. A DRY EYE SPECIALIST OPTOMETRIST will assess your tear film and examine the eyelid margin with specialized tools and and clinical expertise. 

My rule is if the eyes get more RED after staring ACCUTANE, run - don't walk to your optometrist. Getting that personalized eye care treatment plan EARLY is so much easier than waiting. A mild case can stay mild. A severe case takes A LOT of time, money and work to get to moderate/mild. Also  . . . treating dryness and inflammation promptly prevents complications like corneal irritation or infection. Those are no fun.

Actionable Tips to Relieve BLOODSHOT EYES on ACCUTANE

First, establish a daily eyelid hygiene routine. Every morning and evening, use heated Focused Eye Roll for 30 second sessions as needed. Before bed, use MGD CLEANSING SYSTEM (all the steps) to keep oil glands from clogging in chalazia and draining sluggish oil. Properly cleansing and removing that sluggish oil needs to be done DAILY to  keep the oil glands functioning.

Next, incorporate preservative‑free artificial tears. Use them three to four times a day or whenever your eyes feel dry, gritty or look red. The goal is to restore a stable tear film and soothe inflammation. Some patients need to also be on RESTASIS or XIIDRA to make more tears to provide comfort and anti-inflammatory benefits without the use of steroids.

Consider omega‑3 oral supplements. Over time, they can improve meibomian gland secretions. That reduces evaporation and helps calm redness.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

Maintain regular eye check‑ups while on ACCUTANE. How often should you see your DRY EYE SPECIALIST OPTOMETRIST? Click here to read the blog post on MEIBOMIAN GLAND EXTRACTION. Your doctor will monitor your ocular surface and adjust your treatments as needed. If redness persists, they may recommend in‑office therapies like intense pulsed light or radio frequency to target underlying inflammation.

Hi, I’m Dr. Tanya Gill, optometrist and founder of We Love Eyes. I started We Love Eyes in 2014 while trying to help one of my (stubborn) patients with contact lens discomfort. In 2016, I had 3 products. Fast forward to today - We Love Eyes has almost 30 SKUs. It’s been an amazing journey. Explore my life’s work at weloveeyes.com. Check out my content on TIKTOK. See the profile page and see the playlists: MGD, STYE, DRY EYES . xo

• Find a Dry Eye Specialist Optometrist here
• Read my other blogs about ACCUTANE here

• ACCUTANE eye redness

• BLOODSHOT EYES on ACCUTANE

• RED EYES treatment

• dry eye specialist optometrist

• eyelid hygiene ACCUTANE

• warm compress routine

• preservative-free artificial tears

• omega‑3 for dry eyes

• Meibomian gland dysfunction ACCUTANE

• Dr. Tanya Gill eye care