My eyes are watering so much that I can’t even keep my glasses on. 
7 Likes
Is it the tret gel with alcohol? Also, aren’t watery eyes the opposite of what dry eyes feel like?
I had that problem during the first few months. Now, I can put tret all over my face without any irritation—even if I accidentally get some near the orbital bone.
You could try using Vaseline as a buffer for the time being. You’ll eventually get used to it.
Hi, I started using tazarotene a month ago and the skin on my eyelids is actually cracking, even though I only used a tiny amount on my forehead and chin to test it… I didn’t have any peeling there, just on the eyelids. Do you think they’re linked? It’s quite painful 
this is so relatable
Try switching over to Taz if possible. I don’t have any dryness issues with it, whereas tret was terrible—I’d wake up feeling like I’d been sleeping with my eyes wide open lol
I just started tret and didn’t realize this was a side effect, but I noticed this morning that my eyes felt even drier than they usually do (I sleep in contacts and use moisturizing drops every morning, so they’re always dry anyway lol).
Systane drops and taking sea buckthorn capsules orally really help with my dry eye issues. I deal with it because of the very low humidity where I live, and both of those, along with VisiSharp, have made a big difference for me.
Oral hyaluronic acid capsules are also very effective.
1 Like
Wait, are you actually supposed to put tret on your eyelids?? I’ve been avoiding that whole area, though I’ve only used it twice so far.
Please be careful because some people have experienced permanent eye damage from Tret. If you check the dry eye subreddit, there are users whose eye glands were destroyed by tretinoin or retinols, and they can barely function now. It’s honestly terrifying!
1 Like
I had Lasik and suffered from severe light sensitivity due to dry eyes—they would water at almost anything. I really suggest the PM ointment from Refresh or Systane! It was the only thing that helped. I’m starting tret now and I use the ointment on the nights I apply it. It’s been working so far! For during the day, I found the Refresh Plus Preservative Free drops work the best.
Topical tretinoin isn’t systemic and only causes dry eyes if it migrates into the eyes or the meibomian glands. This is why the instructions say to avoid the eye area entirely. Don’t apply it past the orbital bone, put a heavy occlusive like Aquaphor on your lids BEFORE applying tret, and let it absorb fully before putting moisturizer on top so it doesn’t move around. Tretinoin is cell-communicating, so the eye area still gets the benefits even if you don’t apply it directly there.
I always put moisturizer around my eyes first. It makes a massive difference.
I used Systane drops for severe dryness, and your doctor can also give you a prescription for allergy drops.
I used tret for two years and it completely ruined my eyes. I never even applied it near the orbital area, but it migrates. I really wish I hadn’t used it because the damage can’t be fixed now. I have to use drops several times throughout the night just to sleep.
I apply just a little to the base of my nose and it immediately starts making my eyes burn like crazy. Every single time.