Over-the-counter (OTC) dry eye drops
There are two main types of over-the-counter eye drops for dry eyes: moisturizing artificial tears and lubricating gel drops:
- Liquid artificial tears are exactly what they sound like — a method of adding moisture to the eyes that mimics natural tears. They’re usually designed to be used more often throughout the day, but with a shorter effect. Liquid eye drops tend to be better for people with mild-to-moderate dryness.
- Gel lubricating drops are also artificial tears, but they focus more on lubrication. The drops add a thicker gel-like film to the surface of the eye to mirror the natural oils in your tears. While the effects last longer than liquid drops, the gel layer can temporarily blur your vision while it settles, so it’s often recommended to use them at night. People with more severe cases of dry eye may prefer these products.
Redness relief eye drops are also available. While they can help with dryness, their main focus is to shrink the blood vessels near the eye’s surface to reduce redness. However, it’s important to stay mindful of the “rebound effect” of redness-relieving eye drops. Some experts recommend treating red eyes with standard artificial tears. Speak with your eye doctor if you aren’t sure what’s causing eye redness, dryness or other irritation.
Many major brands produce dry eye drops that are available for purchase at supermarkets or drug stores across the country. They can come in bottles or packs of single-use vials.
Preservatives in dry eye drops
Many dry eye drops contain preservative chemicals to keep bacteria, fungi and other harmful microscopic organisms from growing inside the bottle. The result is safe and sterile eye drops, but like the preservatives in food, there can be drawbacks.
Some people are sensitive to the preservatives in eye drops and develop red, irritated or itchy eyes after using them. Additionally, long-term preservative exposure may damage certain cells in the cornea and outer layer of the eye.
For these reasons, eye doctors usually advise against using eye drops with preservatives more than four times a day, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Preservative-free versions of popular eye drops for dry eyes are almost always available. Many come in single-use vials to eliminate contamination, though some preservative-free formulas are packed in special multi-dose bottles. Single-use vials are typically more expensive per ounce than their bottled counterparts.
Some manufacturers have developed creative alternatives to preservatives. For example, in some solutions, the preservatives in the drops turn into oxygen and water when they come into contact with the eye.
Prescription eye drops for dry eyes
Prescription eye drops are usually reserved for more severe cases of dry eye, like those caused by eye trauma or conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome.
Some prescription eye drops contain cyclosporine to increase tear production. These drops work by suppressing the immune response, therefore reducing inflammation in the eye’s tear ducts. They can provide significant relief, but it can take several weeks or months for the effects to become noticeable.
READ MORE: Home remedies for dry eyes
When eye drops aren’t enough
Some cases of dry eye require more than eye drops, depending on the severity and underlying cause. An eye doctor can examine your eyes and perform a Schirmer's test and other assessments to determine the quality of your tears. Your doctor may also be able to suggest dietary changes and certain supplements to increase tear production.
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