10 Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes in 2022 (TheraTears, Visine, and More)
Do you suffer from dry eyes? Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when the tear glands don't produce enough tears or when the tears aren't enough to keep your eyes lubricated. It can cause eye pain, redness, blurry vision, or itching. Ouch! It's up to an ophthalmologist to make a diagnosis of dry eye syndrome, but eye drops can help give you some relief from both chronic or temporary dryness.
So, we found the best over-the-counter eye drops to relieve dry eye symptoms. Our top choice is TheraTears' Dry Eye Therapy. These drops were created by an ophthalmologist and are recommended by doctors for long-lasting relief. You can find the rest of our recommendations on our top 10 list! Plus, you can scroll down to our buying guide to know what points to consider before you select a product.
Quick List - Top Eyedrops For Dry Eyes
Refresh
Moisturizing Artificial Tears for Mild to Moderate Dry Eye Syndrome
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How to Choose Eye Drops for Dry Eyes – Buying Guide
Regardless of what symptoms you have, you need to consult a doctor to ensure you have dry eye syndrome. If you feel you have dry eyes, an ophthalmologist will be able to make the diagnosis and prescribe you the best eye drops to combat the symptoms.
But if you've already been diagnosed and are looking for over-the-counter (or "OTC" eye drops) as per your doctor's advice, one of our top 10 products might suit you. Our buying guide will help you understand what basics you need to know before going for OTC eye drops for dry eyes.
Know the Types of Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
Pharmacies have a range of eye drops to treat dry eyes. Doctors recommend these drops based on the severity of your symptoms. Eye drops that work for mild to moderate symptoms might not be suitable for someone with chronic dry eye syndrome.
Get Prescription Eye Drops for Dry Eyes Due to Inflammation
Sometimes chronic dry eyes can result from an inflammation caused by conditions like dry eye (or keratoconjunctivitis sicca). It means dryness of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the eyelids and the white of the eye, and cornea, the clear layer in front of the eye.
Doctors prescribe eye drops like Cyclosporine for such conditions. They can increase your eyes' capability to produce tears. These drops can have a different composition than OTC drops. Besides treating dryness, prescription eye drops might contain ingredients to reduce inflammation and redness.
Over-the-Counter Artificial Tears are the Most Common
Artificial tears are the most common types of eye drops for dry eye syndrome. They are formulated with one or more humectants that can retain the eyes' outer surface moisture and reduce tear evaporation.
Besides the lubricants needed to keep your eyes moist, artificial tears also contain electrolytes like potassium and sodium that help heal the strain at the eyes' surface.
But Artificial Tears Might Not Work for Severe Dry Eye Syndrome
Artificial tears or prescription eye drops might not work for those with severe dry eye syndrome. You might need a lubricant gel, like Celluvisc, or an ointment like Lacri-Lube that's thicker and can remain longer in the eyes. They are suitable for overnight use as they tend to blur the vision for a while.
The thicker the composition, the longer it stays in your eyes and blurs your vision. But do not worry. Your eyes will be blurry only temporarily while the gel or ointment stays in your eyes.
Tear inserts are rod-shaped translucent and sterile inserts for the eye. They are water-soluble and slow-release and used when artificial tears aren't sufficient to treat dry eye syndrome. They contain a water-soluble cellulose like hydroxypropyl cellulose that thickens and stabilizes the fluid layer and provide sufficient lubrication.
Choose Between Eyedrops With and Without Preservatives
Eye drops with preservatives discourage and inhibit the growth of bacteria in the bottle once it’s opened. They are ideal for those with mild dry eye syndrome and are found in multi-dose bottles. The presence of preservatives or chemicals can irritate the eyes of those with moderate to severe dry eyes.
Eye drops with few or no preservatives are ideal for frequent use and those who wear contact lenses. These drops are suitable for moderate to severe dry eye syndrome. They are safe to use three to four times a day. The label will often say whether they’re safe for use with contact lenses, so read the label carefully.
Sometimes dry eyes can be caused by diminished layers of oil inside the eyes. In that case, your doctor might prescribe an eye drop with lubricant oil, such as castor oil, as the inactive ingredient.
Get the Right Ingredients for Your Specific Concerns
Lubricant eye drops contain an ophthalmic demulcent (water-soluble polymer) or lubricants like glycerin, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyethylene glycol as the primary or active ingredient. They can improve the lubricant properties of the eye drops and keep your eyes moist for a long time.
Emollients like mineral oils and paraffin are often included to soften the tissues and prevent the tear film from drying up. They can replace or thicken the tear film's compromised layer, reduce the tear evaporation rate, and increase the tear breakup time.
Electrolytes like potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, and sodium are other essential ingredients. Low levels of electrolytes can reduce tear breakup time and eventually lead to evaporative dry eye, which is the most common type of dry eye syndrome.
Some eye drops contain sodium chloride or salt. It can reduce swelling and redness. Just a quick search about the ingredients will give information about their functions in treating dry eyes!
Everyone Should See a Doctor First, but Especially People With These Conditions
Some eye drops are sold with the intent to reduce the redness of the eyes. They aren't going to be effective in treating dry eye syndrome, because they aren't meant for prolonged use. Anyone with an eye condition, such as glaucoma and cataracts, should only use prescription eye drops to treat dry eyes.
If you're pregnant, some eye drops cannot be used, so you should consult a doctor and get their recommendation. Drying of the eyes is quite common during pregnancy. Your doctor will be able to prescribe the safest possible artificial tears or equivalent eye drops for you.
Regardless of your health, you should always consult an ophthalmologist before buying over-the-counter dry eye drops.
10 Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy | | Doctor-Created Eye Drops for Fast Relief from Dry Eyes | |
2 | Refresh Tears Lubricant Eye Drops | | Moisturizing Artificial Tears for Mild to Moderate Dry Eye Syndrome | |
3 | Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops | | Ultra-Lubricating Dry Eye Drops for Heavy Computer Users | |
4 | OCuSOFT Retaine MGD | | Mineral Oil-Rich Single-Use Vials for Deeper Hydration | |
5 | Refresh Optive Mega-3 | | Preservative-Free Vials With Oils to Prevent Evaporation | |
6 | Blink Tears | | Long-Lasting Eye Drops With Reduced Blur | |
7 | Visine All Day Comfort Dry Eye Relief | | Lubricant-Rich Eye Drops to Soothe Dry and Gritty Eyes | |
8 | Refresh Optive | | Lubricating Vials for All Day Comfort from Dry Eyes | |
9 | Blink Contacts | | Moisturizing Formula for Contact Lens Wearers | |
10 | Similasan Dry Eye Relief | | Relief from Dry Eye Symptoms With Natural Ingredients |
Doctor-Created Eye Drops for Fast Relief from Dry Eyes
The main ingredient of TheraTears eye drops is sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a lubricant that keeps your eyes moist. With multiple electrolytes to reduce tear evaporation time, these drops can give significant relief from dry eyes and its symptoms.
A unique ingredient is sodium perborate, a preservative that disappears upon contact with a tear film. The formula also has sodium chloride (salt) that can reduce swelling or redness and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) that gently cleanses the eyes.
Some buyers warned they received opened bottles without their safety seal. But many reviewers, including contact lens wearers, felt much better after using these eye drops. And, they worked for many users after their Lasik surgery. Some with chronic dry eyes also found great relief from symptoms.
RefreshTears Lubricant Eye Drops
Moisturizing Artificial Tears for Mild to Moderate Dry Eye Syndrome
Doctors recommend Refresh Tears eye drops for mild to moderate dry eyes caused by exposure to wind, sun, and other allergens. Besides the multiple electrolytes in the drops, the gentle preservative converts to sodium and chloride while on the ocular surface, so no preservatives stay in your eyes.
We infer from the negative reviews that it may not be enough for chronic dry eye symptoms, as it didn't relieve itchiness for some. There were also complaints about not getting two bottles, so make sure to buy from a reputable seller.
For the majority of the users, the product worked great. Their eyes felt moisturized and irritation-free after using these drops. Doctors also recommended its use after Lasik surgery.
Ultra-Lubricating Dry Eye Drops for Heavy Computer Users
Systane's moisture-rich formula has two lubricants for extra hydration, so it could work for relieving symptoms associated with prolonged computer use or exposure to the elements. It can relieve electrolyte imbalance and provide relief throughout the day. It's generally for symptoms associated with mild to moderate dry eye syndrome.
However, the effect of these eye drops was short-lived for some, and others with severe dry eyes said it didn't work for them. But for most, the drops worked well in relieving a range of dry eye symptoms, especially due to climate or too much screen time. Many used it as per their doctor's recommendation for glaucoma or after Lasik.
OCuSOFTRetaine MGD
Mineral Oil-Rich Single-Use Vials for Deeper Hydration
OCuSOFT offers these sterile vials to relieve the symptoms of moderate to severe dry eye syndrome. Each vial contains a mineral oil as the active ingredient, along with glycerol for preventing moisture loss.
The vials deliver moisture even to the deepest layer of the tear film, using patented technology involving electrostatic attraction to restore the tear film's three layers and stabilize it.
According to some other reviews, the vials aren't as easy to use as regular eye drop bottles. For many, however, these were the best eye drops they'd ever used to relieve their symptoms. Some were recommended these single-use vials after cataract surgery to ease the pain and dryness.
RefreshOptive Mega-3
Preservative-Free Vials With Oils to Prevent Evaporation
If you've been diagnosed with MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction) then ask your doctor about these. They're enriched with multiple lubricants to hydrate your tear film layers.
Flaxseed and castor oil are full of omega 3 fatty acids and help relieve your symptoms. The unique ingredients reduce tear evaporation and can provide long-lasting relief.
Some users said the vials are tricky to open or hard to squeeze. In all, they worked well for many users with severe dry eye symptoms and those recovering after Lasik surgery. The eyes would feel silky and moisturized after using the drops.
Long-Lasting Eye Drops With Reduced Blur
If you have mild to moderate dry eye, this is lubricating enough to give significant relief from symptoms such as irritation, pain, and burning. It's also formulated to reduce blur, which is a side effect of certain dry eye drops. It contains gentle preservatives and is not suited for post-Lasik treatment.
Some users criticized the dropper design, saying multiple drops fell at a time and resulted in waste. However, many users of this product felt a great improvement in their dry eye symptoms over time. Their eyes felt very soothed and cool after application.
Visine All Day Comfort Dry Eye Relief
Lubricant-Rich Eye Drops to Soothe Dry and Gritty Eyes
The highlight of these eye drops is the presence of three lubricants, including glycerin and hypromellose, for prolonged moisture and protection. The drops aren't a complete solution for dry eye but can offer quick and temporary relief from burning, scratchy, and gritty eyes if these symptoms are mild to moderate.
These didn't work for some buyers with severe dry eyes. A few people also had trouble opening the bottle. Overall, many users found the drops lubricating and said they prevented their eyes from drying out frequently. A lot of users recommended this product due to its long-lasting effects.
Lubricating Vials for All Day Comfort from Dry Eyes
With lubrication from glycerin, no preservatives, and electrolytes to reduce tear evaporation time, these individual vials can bring significant relief from irritation, burning, and pain. They're also safe to use after Lasik surgery if your doctor recommends it.
Many post-operative users felt better thanks to these drops. Lots of reviewers also liked it for reducing the itchiness and redness associated with dry eyes. They say the vials are easy to use and cause little stinging.
Moisturizing Formula for Contact Lens Wearers
It can be challenging to find suitable eye drops for dry eyes when you're a contact lens wearer. The sodium hyaluronate in this works towards hydrating and maintaining the eyes' moisture barrier and electrolytes mimic the properties of natural tears.
A gentle preservative breaks down into salt and water when exposed to light. The formula is a good option to prevent your contact lenses from going dry.
Some of the buyers received only one product inside the twin pack or a different product entirely. In all, many contact lens wearers found it giving all-day comfort to their eyes. The drops kept their eyes hydrated and moisturized and made it easy to get their contact lenses out.
Relief from Dry Eye Symptoms With Natural Ingredients
Similasan drops can not only relieve dryness, but also calm redness and irritation associated with dry eyes. The homeopathic formula uses natural ingredients, including eyebright extract, a known remedy for eye irritations. The ingredient mercurius sublimatus is added to combat dryness associated with dry eye syndrome.
A few users received only one bottle, and some users reported that the dropper wasn't comfortable to use and didn't dispense easily. But for several other users struggling with dry eyes, this solution worked well. It lubricated, moisturized, and soothed their eyes. Many users loved that it came in a glass bottle too.
Take Care of Your Eyes!
We often take our healthy eyes for granted, until they feel tired and irritated, or worse. Make sure to give your eyes the care they need! Check out these products that can help.
Top 5 Eyedrops For Dry Eyes
No. 1: TheraTears｜Dry Eye Therapy
No. 2: Refresh｜Tears Lubricant Eye Drops
No. 3: Systane ｜Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops
No. 4: OCuSOFT｜Retaine MGD
No. 5: Refresh｜Optive Mega-3
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