The 11 Best Eye Drops to Relieve Dry Eyes
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If you suffer from dry, irritated eyes, these eye drops should never leave your side.
Health / Marcus Millan
Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD
If you suffer from dry eyes, you're not alone. Dry eye disease affects 30 million Americans and over 300 million people worldwide, says Ranjodh S. Boparai, M.D., ophthalmic surgeon and CEO of CorneaCare. When left untreated, dry eyes can quickly alter daily life and even impact your emotional well-being: Those with dry eye disease are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, says Dr. Boparai. The good news is, quality lubricating eye drops offer almost immediate relief.
Eye drops provide lubrication and moisture for dry eyes. They also supplement the tear film, which is the protective coating of tears that retains moisture on the eye and contributes to proper lid function, comfort, and clear vision, explains Raymond Douglas, M.D., a Beverly Hills-based oculoplastic surgeon. Drops can also help clear the eyes of any debris, allergens, and pathogens that may lead to inflammation.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with dry eye disease or are looking for moisturizing drops to keep on hand when irritation creeps up, these are the best expert-approved picks on the market.
Best Overall: Systane Complete PF Eye Drops
Why We Like It: The formula protects against tear evaporation and contains nano-sized droplets for better coverage.
It’s Worth Noting: The bottle is on the small side.
Dr. Douglas recommends Systane as a reputable brand, and the line’s Complete PF drops offer the whole package: They’re preservative-free, and the active ingredient is propylene glycol, which Douglas says is safe for ongoing use.
They’re also safe for sensitive eyes, and in addition to offering immediate relief with lubrication, the formula keeps tears from evaporating, providing long-lasting comfort. Unlike most preservative-free drops, which are packaged in individual vials, Complete PF comes in a multi-dose bottle with packaging that keeps the solution stable and sanitary.
Price at time of publication: $20
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Propylene glycol
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, sensitive eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .34 fluid ounces
Best Budget: Refresh Tears Lubricant Eye Drops
Why We Like It: A two-pack of these moisturizing drops costs less than $20.
It’s Worth Noting: The formula is best for mild to moderate dry eye.
If you’re someone who experiences the occasional, moderate dry eye, this is a high-quality, affordable pick to have on hand, says Dr. Douglas. The formula is designed to emulate natural tears and offers temporary relief from dryness and sensitivity. It’s safe for use with contact lenses, and won’t cause prolonged blurring after administration.
We also love the value of these eye drops. Not only are the bottles on the larger side, but you also get two per pack, making them a good choice for someone who uses eye drops frequently.
Price at time of publication: $16
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
Preservatives: Yes
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .5 fluid ounces
Best for Contact Lens Wearers: Biotrue Hydration Boost Dry Eye Drops
Why We Like It: The preservative-free drops hydrate with ingredients that are naturally found in tears.
It’s Worth Noting: The bottle’s dispenser can be finicky.
Using two moisturizing ingredients—glycerin and hyaluronic acid—that mimic the compounds found in real tears, these drops lubricate by pulling moisture from the environment and delivering it to your eyes. The natural ingredients are gentle and perfect for anyone whose eyes are on the sensitive side.
Although we selected these drops for contact lens wearers, they’re safe for use with or without contacts. Added antioxidants protect eyes from environmental pollutants, and the drops also soothe eye strain caused by extended screen time.
Price at time of publication: $20
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, dry contacts
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .33 fuid ounces
Best for Overnight Dry Eyes: Optase HyloNight Eye Ointment
Why We Like It: This ointment provides six hours of overnight relief without leaving eyes crusty or uncomfortable come morning.
It’s Worth Noting: The formula may contain peanut oil.
When it comes to overnight dry eyes, thicker eye ointments deliver where thinner eye drops fall short. Optase HyloNight Eye Ointment contains petrolatum and lanolin, which protect the eye and help it retain moisture through the night.
Unlike other eye ointments that can cause irritation to sensitive eyelid skin, this one is gentle and safe for nightly use. Just keep in mind the formula may contain peanut oil, so look elsewhere if you have allergies.
Price at time of publication: $20
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: White petrolatum, lanolin, light mineral oil
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes
Dosage: ¼ inch of ointment to inner lower lid nightly
Size: .18 fluid ounces
Best for Post-Lasik Surgery: Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops
Why We Like It: These affordable drops provide immediate comfort and are easy to use as needed.
It’s Worth Noting: The formula contains preservatives.
Dr. Douglas recommends Blink Tears as a go-to for dry eyes in general, which makes them especially ideal for remedying discomfort post-Lasik surgery. It’s important to note, though, that your doctor may prescribe antibiotic or steroid drops for immediate use after surgery, per the Omaha/Lincoln Eye & Laser Institute. Any drops you use after that should be approved by your doctor.
With that being said, Lasik patients tend to use their fair share of drops during recovery, and these won’t break the bank if you go through a few bottles.
Price at time of publication: $20
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Polyethylene glycol
Preservatives: Yes
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .5 fluid ounces
Best Preservative-Free: CorneaCare Recover Eye Drops
Why We Like It: These preservative-free drops contain ingredients that lubricate and calm irritation.
It’s Worth Noting: They’re on the pricey side.
The active ingredients in these drops are two-fold. The drops contain hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help the eyes naturally create and retain moisture, as well as the emollient povidone, which prevents irritation and reduces stress and strain.
The bottle’s nozzle features a patented one-way valve technology that allows tears to flow out while preventing germs from getting in, keeping the solution sterile for up to 90 days. The formula is also contact lens-safe.
Price at time of publication: $25
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, povidone
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, dry contacts, irritated eyes
Dosage: 1 drop in each eye three to four times daily
Size: .33 fluid ounces
Best for Long-Lasting Relief: TheraTears Extra Dry Eye Therapy
Why We Like It: These drops offer dry eye relief without causing blurred vision.
It’s Worth Noting: The formula contains preservatives.
Using five vital electrolytes found in natural tears, these drops restore salt imbalance, which can cause dry, irritated eyes. At one full fluid ounce, the bottle will last, and the preservatives in the formula allow you to keep it on hand for a while.
The formula was clinically proven to relieve dry eyes without burning or stinging upon application, making it a good selection for sensitive eyes. However, it’s unclear whether the drops are safe for contact lens wearers, so ask your doctor before using if you wear contacts.
Price at time of publication: $18
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose
Preservatives: Yes
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, irritated eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: 1 fluid ounce
Best for Multiple-Use Eye Drops: Similasan Complete Eye Relief
Why We Like It: These drops contain natural ingredients that offer temporary relief of dryness, grittiness, itchiness, and more.
It’s Worth Noting: The glass bottle can make for tricky use.
If you’re conscious about using natural ingredients, these drops fit the bill. The Swiss homeopathic formula soothes irritation with the herbaceous flower extract eyebright. It also contains hydrating ingredients glycerin and aloe vera, which makes them great to keep on hand for any bothersome eye issues that may come up.
The drops contain what the brand describes as “gentle” preservatives, so they’re not entirely preservative-free. However, the formula expires 90 days after opening, so the drops have a somewhat limited shelf life if you only use them occasionally.
Price at time of publication: $16
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), belladonna, mercurius sublimatus
Preservatives: Yes
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, irritated eyes, redness, burning, watering, grittiness
Dosage: 2 to 3 drops as needed
Size: .33 fluid ounces
Best for Allergies: Zaditor Eye Itch Relief Antihistamine Eye Drops
Why We Like It: These drops treat allergy symptoms without the use of blood vessel-constricting decongestants.
It’s Worth Noting: They’re not safe for use with contact lenses.
Dr. Douglas warns that many eyedrops formulated for redness and allergy relief contain decongestants like etrahydrozoline and naphazoline, which constrict the blood vessels in your eye, resulting in a white appearance. However, when those ingredients are used continuously, the eye blood vessels may respond by over-dilating, Dr. Douglas says, resulting in a condition called the rebound hyperemia effect.
Fortunately, this allergy-targeted formula from Systane doesn’t contain either of those ingredients and provides up to 12 hours of itch and redness relief. On the downside, they’re not safe for contact lens wearers.
Price at time of publication: $14
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Ketotifen fumarate
Preservatives: Yes
Symptoms treated: Irritated, itchy eyes and redness
Dosage: 1 drop in each eye every 12 hours
Size: .17 fluid ounces
Best Gel-Based Eye Drops: GenTeal Tears Lubricant Eye Gel
Why We Like It: This product is a great middle ground between an eye ointment and regular drops.
It’s Worth Noting: There may be a learning curve to dispensing from a tube rather than a traditional eye dropper.
The thought of applying a thicker gel on your eye may sound intimidating, but GenTeal’s formula liquifies after a few blinks, leaving you with a restored protective tear film and a hydrated eye with minimal feelings of gloopiness, blurred vision, or discomfort. The gel is especially helpful for soothing irritation caused by wind or sun exposure.
Keep in mind that as with most eye gels, this one might make your vision blurry for a few minutes, but after that, the long-lasting relief is hard to beat. The gel is also free of preservatives.
Price at time of publication: $32
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Hypromellose
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .34 fluid ounces
Best for Severe Dryness: Ocusoft RETAINE MGD Ophthalmic Emulsion Eye Drops
Why We Like It: These drops address dryness and irritation and come in sterile single-use droppers.
It’s Worth Noting: The droppers might require some trial and error.
This oil-based solution from Retaine helps restore moisture to the eyes’ lipid layer while also stabilizing the tear film, which is why Dr. Douglas recommends them for severe dryness. In other words, the drops not only provide immediate relief but instead keep tears from evaporating, which prevents future dryness and irritation.
The formula comes in sterile, single-use vials that minimize reaction risk. The drops are preservative-free, and even though they yield amazing results for severe dryness, they’re also easy on sensitive eyes.
Price at time of publication: $25
Product Details:
Active Ingredients: Mineral oil, light mineral oil
Preservatives: No
Symptoms treated: Dry eyes, irritated eyes
Dosage: 1 to 2 drops as needed
Size: .34 fluid ounces
How We Selected
To find the best eye drops for dry eyes, we consulted several eye care experts, including an allergist, ophthalmic surgeon, and oculoplastic surgeon. We asked what to look for in eye drops for dry eyes, including ingredients, shelf life, and various applications. Based on their recommendations, we also researched high-quality eye drops to narrow down the top formulas for dryness and irritation.
Experts we spoke to include:
Ranjodh S. Boparai, M.D., ophthalmic surgeon and CEO of CorneaCare
Raymond Douglas, M.D., a Beverly Hills-based oculoplastic surgeon
Mitchell Grayson, M.D., allergist and spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
What to Know About Eye Drops
How Eye Drops Work
Eye drops, specifically artificial tears, address dryness and irritation in two main ways, explains Dr. Boparai. They can soften, soothe, and protect irritated tissue, or they can attract water to moisturize your eyes. He adds that some artificial tears may also have occlusive properties, which create a barrier to lock in moisture and prevent evaporation. Lastly, artificial tears may shield the eye from stress injury that can result from highly concentrated tears.
Who Should Use Eye Drops
People with dry eyes, allergies, pink eye, styes, glaucoma, and those who wear contact lenses may benefit from using eye drops, says Dr. Boparai. Dr. Douglas adds that people in menopause or those who have autoimmune diseases may also use them.
Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Eye Drops
Prescription eye drops tend to have more medicine that over-the-counter (OTC) drops can provide, says Dr. Grayson. Dr. Boparai adds that the two main types of prescription eye drops for dry eyes are cyclosporine and lifitegrast, which may keep inflammation in check and help your eyes produce tears.
Prescriptions differ from OTC drops in that they are clinically studied and approved by the Food and Drug Administartion (FDA), but Dr. Boparai makes clear that those qualities don’t make prescription drops superior. “Prescription eye drops work best when coupled with eyelid hygiene, preservative-free artificial tears, and lifestyle modifications,” he says.
Ingredients and Preservatives
There are quite a few different active ingredients that you can find in artificial tears. The most common ones are polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, povidone, and glycerin, which are all safe for ongoing usage, says Dr. Douglas. Emollient drops may contain natural oils, and hydrating ones may contain humectants like hyaluronic acid.
Some eye drops contain preservatives to extend their shelf-life. The most commonly used one is benzalkonium chloride (BAK), says Dr. Boparai. Short-term exposure to BAK is safe, but long-term use can damage the surface of your eye, he adds. If you only plan to use eye drops on occasion, preservatives shouldn’t be a big deal, but Boparai recommends a preservative-free formula for those who use drops frequently.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Generally speaking, pain or discomfort that persists after the use of over-the-counter eye drops warrants a visit to your doctor, says Dr. Grayson. Other concerning symptoms include severe pain, excessive discharge, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and worsening redness.
Your Questions, Answered
Is it OK to use eye drops every day?
Yes, but it’s always important to follow the instructions on the label. If you anticipate using lubricating eye drops for a long period of time, experts recommend opting for a preservative-free formula.
What can make dry eyes worse?
Conditions such as allergies, dust, sun exposure, wind, excessive screen time, altitude, rubbing and irritation, and extended contact lens wear can all exacerbate dry eyes, says Dr. Douglas. Hormone fluctuations, illness, and medications may play a role, as well as aging. This is because processes like tear production tend to slow down as we age, Dr. Douglas says.
How many drops should you put into dry eyes?
First and foremost, Dr. Grayson advises to follow the instructions provided by your particular brand of drops. However, Dr. Boparai says that one to two drops applied four to six times daily is usually sufficient. For best results, make sure you support eye drop use with good eyelid hygiene.
Who We Are
Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a specialization in public health and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She's covered health, nutrition, lifestyle, and beauty at various outlets for five years.
Loren Brutsch, the editor of this article, suffers from dry eyes and has tried multiple products recommended on this list. She personally recommends the best overall pick, Systane Complete PF drops, for immediate relief.
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