Ambien and dry eye

[RobLIC]

Has anyone ever heard that Ambien, the sleep medication, can exacerbate dry eye? Thanks.

[skygoddess]

Please say it is not so!

The Happy Addict

[kimby2007]

Ambien

Probably does but I use it religiously to help me sleep like a baby despite my severe dry eyes so it a pro vs con issue. For me the pros of ambien outweigh the cons but depends on the person.

[RobLIC]

OK, well, I hashed this one out with Dr. L. this morning in person. His take: If there's a link here, he feels it's only that Ambien relaxes muscles when you sleep, i.e. ones in the face that close the eyelid. It's theoretically possible Ambien users may have issues fully shutting their lids for this reason -- but it's not to be feared the way we might worry about antihistamines, i.e. it does not have any drying qualities per se.

[Silverlady]

Whewwww!

Dodged that bullet. Thanks.

Billye

[skygoddess]

Also explains why taping my eyes shut at night has given me better nights.