Teens who take Accutane (isotretinoin) acne medication face almost twice the risk of eye infections including conjunctivitis and hordeolum, according to research from the University of Tel Aviv.
The study, published in Archives of Dermatology, compared the rates of infection of 15,000 teens and young adults taking the drug with an age and gender-matched group that had acne but was not taking the drug and a third group without acne or medication.
Within a year of starting the medication, nearly 14 per cent of those in the acne medication group developed an eye infection or dry eyes, compared with almost 10 per cent in the group that had acne but did not take medications and about 7 per cent in the group that didn't have acne.
Compared to the acne-free group, those taking isotretinoin were at 70 per cent increased risk of an eye infection over the course of a year, with 4 per cent developing conjunctivitis.
Researchers said the drug reduced oil production from the sebaceous glands but disrupted the function of the meibomian glands.
Experts recommended the use of artificial tears to keep eyes lubricated to prevent most side-effects of the drugs.
