On this page
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never decides what we recommend. How we make money.
The short version
- Match the drop to your type: oil-based drops for evaporative dry eye, lubricating and hyaluronic acid drops for low tear production.
- Use preservative-free drops if you need them more than about four times a day.
- Thicker drops and gels last longer but blur more. Many people use a thin drop by day and a gel or ointment at night.
- Skip redness relievers. They don’t treat dryness.
- If you’re using drops constantly and still uncomfortable, see an eye doctor. Drops soothe symptoms, they don’t fix the cause.
How to choose, in four questions
1. Which layer is struggling?
Most dry eye is evaporative: the oil glands in your eyelids aren’t releasing enough oil, so tears evaporate too fast. In one clinic-based study, 86% of people with dry eye showed signs of it1 Lemp et al., Cornea, 2012 (opens in a new tab). Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort.. If your eyes feel worse as the day goes on, on screens or in moving air, and your vision blurs then clears when you blink, look for a drop that contains oil. If your eyes feel dry all day, especially with a dry mouth, you may simply need more moisture. The Dry Eye Profile can help you tell.
2. How often will you use them?
Preservatives keep multi-dose bottles free of germs, but the most common one, benzalkonium chloride, can damage the eye’s surface cells with frequent long-term use2 Gomes et al., The Ocular Surface, 2017 (opens in a new tab). TFOS DEWS II iatrogenic report.. The usual advice is to go preservative-free if you use drops more than about four times a day.
3. Day or night?
Thin, watery drops feel light and don’t blur, but they wear off quickly. Gels and ointments last for hours but blur your vision, which makes them ideal for bedtime.
4. Do you wear contact lenses?
Use drops labeled as safe with contact lenses, often called rewetting drops, or take your lenses out first. Oil-based drops and ointments can smear lenses.
Our picks by situation
We haven’t run our own clinical tests. These picks are based on ingredients, preservative status, the evidence behind each type of drop and what eye care professionals commonly recommend. Artificial tears in general are a reasonable, low-risk first treatment, though many of the trials behind them are small3 Pucker et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016 (opens in a new tab). Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome.. For heat masks, lid care and other products beyond drops, see the full Relief Kit.
For oil layer (evaporative) dry eye
Look for mineral oil, castor oil or phospholipids on the label. These drops top up the oil layer to slow evaporation. Expect a moment of blur after each drop.
Oil-based drop, preservative-free vials
Retaine MGD
A light mineral oil emulsion that tops up the oil layer, the one that fails in most dry eye. Single-use vials, so no preservatives.
Worth knowing. Like most oil drops it can blur your vision for a minute after you put it in.
Lipid drop, preservative-free bottle
Systane Complete PF
A lipid nano-emulsion aimed at the oil and water layers together, in a multi-dose bottle built to stay preservative-free. Handy if vials feel fiddly.
Worth knowing. Expect a moment of haze after each drop. It clears with a few blinks.
Oil-based drop, preservative-free vials
Refresh Optive Mega-3
Castor oil and flaxseed oil in single-use vials. A good next step if watery drops feel great for five minutes and then stop working.
Worth knowing. The omega-3 in the name is in the drop, not a supplement. It won’t replace anything you take by mouth.
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
For low tear production or sensitive eyes
Choose a gentle, preservative-free lubricant, ideally with hyaluronic acid, and use it on a schedule rather than waiting until your eyes hurt.
Water-layer drop, preservative-free bottle
iVizia Lubricant Eye Drops
Povidone with hyaluronic acid and trehalose, preservative-free in a multi-dose bottle. Gentle enough to use many times a day.
Worth knowing. Water-layer drops alone often fall short if your oil glands are the real problem.
Water-layer drop, preservative-free vials
Refresh Plus
A plain carboxymethylcellulose drop in single-use vials. Nothing clever, which is exactly why it suits sensitive eyes.
Worth knowing. Wears off faster than thicker drops. Some people prefer it by day and a gel at night.
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
For night-time and morning dryness
If you wake up with gritty, sticky eyes, an ointment at bedtime protects the surface while you sleep.
Night ointment
Refresh P.M.
A preservative-free petrolatum and mineral oil ointment that protects the eye surface overnight. Useful if you wake up with sore, sticky eyes.
Worth knowing. It blurs your vision, so use it right before sleep only. It contains lanolin alcohols, which a few people are sensitive to.
Moisture chamber goggles
Tranquileyes Moisture Goggles
Foam-sealed goggles that trap humid air around your eyes. Worth trying if your eyes are worst on waking, you sleep near a fan or you use a CPAP mask.
Worth knowing. Research is thin. The logic is sound and the risk is low, but give it two weeks before judging.
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
For itchy eyes
Itching points more to allergy than to dry eye. An antihistamine drop treats the itch, but it won’t lubricate, so keep it separate from your dry eye drops.
Allergy eye drop
Zaditor or Alaway (ketotifen)
If itching is your main complaint, allergy may be part of the picture. Ketotifen is an over-the-counter antihistamine drop that starts working within minutes.
Worth knowing. It contains a preservative and does not lubricate. Keep it separate from your dry eye drops.
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Preservative-free or preserved?
Preservative-free drops come in two forms. Single-use vials hold one day’s worth or less and are thrown away after use. Newer multi-dose bottles use a one-way tip or filter that keeps the contents sterile without preservatives, which is more convenient and often cheaper per drop.
Not all preservatives are equally harsh. Gentler options such as polyquaternium-1 or so-called disappearing preservatives, which break down once they reach the eye, are usually fine for regular use. Benzalkonium chloride is the one to limit. If you’re unsure what’s in yours, paste the label into the Drop Decoder.
Ingredients worth knowing
| Ingredient | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Carboxymethylcellulose | Classic lubricant that thickens tears slightly | Most people, mild dryness |
| Hyaluronic acid | Holds water and thins as you blink, so it feels comfortable | Frequent use, sensitive eyes |
| Polyethylene and propylene glycol with HP-guar | Lubricants plus a gel that forms a protective layer on contact with tears | Longer-lasting daytime relief |
| Mineral oil, castor oil, phospholipids | Top up the oil layer to slow evaporation | Evaporative dry eye |
| Perfluorohexyloctane | Forms a layer over the tear film that slows evaporation (prescription) | Evaporative dry eye |
How to use eye drops properly
- Wash your handsand don’t let the tip touch your eye, lashes or fingers.
- Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower lidto make a small pocket, then squeeze one drop into it. One is enough; the eye can’t hold more.
- Close your eyes gently for a minuteinstead of blinking hard, so the drop spreads and stays put.
- Wait five minutes between different dropsso the second doesn’t wash out the first. Put ointments in last.
- Use them on a scheduleif your eyes are dry every day. Drops work better at keeping symptoms away than at chasing them once they start.
Drops to avoid for dry eye
Redness relievers such as tetrahydrozoline and naphazoline shrink blood vessels so the eye looks whiter. They don’t add moisture, and daily use can cause rebound redness when they wear off. Watch for them in combination “dry and red eye” products.
Unknown brands. In 2023, contaminated artificial tears from a small brand were linked to serious eye infections in the US, and the FDA later warned consumers about several other eye drop products. Buy from established brands and reputable pharmacies, and never use a drop that looks cloudy or has passed its discard date.
The free Dry Eye Profile sorts your symptoms into a likely type and gives you a plan in about three minutes.
When drops aren’t enough
Artificial tears ease symptoms, but they don’t unblock oil glands, calm long-running inflammation or treat eyelid mites. If you still need drops many times a day after a month of using the right ones, it’s time to see an eye doctor. Prescription drops and in-office treatments such as IPL and thermal pulsation go after the cause. Our guide to dry eye treatments and their costs explains the options.
Common questions
What is the best eye drop for dry eyes?
It depends on your type. For evaporative dry eye, the most common kind, an oil-containing drop usually works best. For low tear production, a preservative-free lubricant with hyaluronic acid is a good start. If you use drops more than about four times a day, choose preservative-free.
How many times a day can I use artificial tears?
Most preservative-free drops can be used as often as needed, but follow the directions on the label. Preserved drops are best kept to about four times a day. If you need drops constantly, that’s a sign to see an eye doctor.
Are expensive eye drops better?
Not necessarily. Price often reflects packaging, such as single-use vials or special preservative-free bottles, more than the ingredients. Match the formula to your type first, then compare cost per drop.
Can I use eye drops with contact lenses?
Only drops labeled for use with contact lenses, often called rewetting drops. Otherwise, take your lenses out, use the drop and wait about 15 minutes before putting them back in, or follow the label.
Why do my eyes burn when I put drops in?
A little stinging can happen when the eye surface is inflamed. Persistent burning may mean a preservative doesn’t agree with you, so try a preservative-free version. If burning continues, see an eye doctor.
Sources
- Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort (opens in a new tab). Lemp et al., Cornea, 2012.
- TFOS DEWS II iatrogenic report (opens in a new tab). Gomes et al., The Ocular Surface, 2017.
- Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome (opens in a new tab). Pucker et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016.
Product picks are chosen independently of any commission. Prices change often, so we show price bands rather than exact prices. Symvana guides are for education and don’t replace an eye exam.