Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Your Guide to Managing Dry Eye
Do your eyes constantly feel scratchy, irritated, and excessively teary? The right eye drops can make a world of difference. In this article, we share different types of eye drops and when to use them to ease the pain and discomfort that comes with dry eye.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough lubrication to help keep them protected and ensure clear vision.
What Causes It?
Dry eye occurs when you have issues with your tear film – either your eyes produce less liquid tear fluid or the tears produced evaporate too quickly. This can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Dehydration
- Aging
- Hormonal changes like pregnancy and menopause
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome,
- When dry eye is left untreated or is not managed, it can lead to eye infections or damage to the cornea.
(Read more on how to treat and manage dry eye)
Types of Eye-Drops for Managing Dry Eye
There are various types of eyedrops in the pharmaceutical market. Choosing the right one is essential. It depends on what’s causing your eyes to be dry and how severe the dryness is. The different types of eye drops you can find:
1. Artificial Tears
Also called lubricating eyedrops, these eye drops work by adding moisture to the eye and relieving mild dryness. It is best used when dryness is due to wind, digital screens, or tiredness. Some artificial tears contain preservatives (have longer shelf-life), and some are preservative-free (gentler to the eyes but have shorter shelf-life spans).
2. Lipid-Based Eye Drops
These types of eye drops restore the tear film’s oily layer and prevent tears from evaporating. They are best for dry eyes caused by tears that evaporate too quickly or that are due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
3. Gel Drops
They are thicker than artificial tears and sit longer on the surface of the eye. Gel drops can ease moderate to severe dryness and cause temporary blurred vision after being applied.
4. Ointments
Ointments are very thick. It is recommended that you apply them before bed for overnight relief. They coat the eyes with a layer that locks in moisture and reduces evaporation, and are best used for severe dryness.
5. Allergy Eye Drops (Antihistamine + Lubricant)
They help to relieve dry, itchy, and excessively teary eyes caused by allergies and are best used for allergic conjunctivitis with dry eye symptoms.
6. Anti-Redness Eye Drops (Decongestants)
These eye drops do not provide relief from dry eyes but shrink blood vessels to reduce redness of the eyes. They are ideal for occasional cosmetic use and are NOT recommended for dry eyes. Exercise caution when using them because frequent use can cause symptoms and eye redness to get worse over time.
7. Prescription Eye Drops
The eye drops mentioned above can be bought over the counter and are mainly for mild dry eye. For people who suffer from chronic or more severe cases of dry eye, your optometrist or eye doctor can prescribe the following:
- Corticosteroid eye drops – for people with severe inflammation, to be used short-term.
- Lifitegrast – to provide relief for inflammation and improve dry eye symptoms.
- Cyclosporine – helps to reduce inflammation and increase tear production.
Over-the-Counter Eye Drops VS When to See a Doctor
Over-the-counter eye drops should be used for mild dry eyes. If you start needing to use them more than two to three times a day, it’s time to see a doctor. Also, see your doctor if you experience vision changes, pain, swelling, or discharge. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to identify the underlying cause of your dry eyes. This approach not only relieves your symptoms but also helps address the root problem.