{"id":1041,"date":"2023-07-20T09:10:46","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T13:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1041"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:28","slug":"eye-drops-for-dry-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-drops-for-dry-eyes","title":{"rendered":"Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Which Type Is Best for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When your eyes are feeling dry or irritated, you\u2019re understandably going to want some fast relief<\/a>. But if you head to the store in search of eye drops, you\u2019ll find that there are tons of different types to choose from. And grabbing the wrong kind could end up doing more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand how eye drops can help your dry eyes<\/a>, let\u2019s break it down by looking at the various types of eye drops out there. We\u2019ll discuss the types of over-the-counter eye drops and prescription eye drops for dry eyes, as well as how they may help your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that you should always follow your eye doctor\u2019s recommendations when using eye drops<\/a> and consult them with any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Over-the-Counter Eye Drops for Dry Eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of over-the-counter eye drops that might be used for relieving dry eyes: lubricating eye drops (aka artificial tears), allergy eye drops, and anti-redness drops<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lubricating Eye Drops (Artificial Tears for Dry Eyes)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you probably guessed by their name, artificial tears are eye drops that mimic your body\u2019s natural tears. They\u2019re also called lubricating eye drops because their purpose is to moisten, or lubricate, eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some dry eye drops come in the form of ointments or gels, which are thicker than standard eye drops. These can be more effective in treating severe dry eyes because they stay on the surface of the eye for longer. Many people choose to use these thicker eye drops around bedtime, since they can temporarily blur vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Lubricant Eye Drops Used For?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lubricating eye drops are moisturizing eye drops for dryness\u2014in other words, they\u2019re primarily meant to keep the surface of your eyes hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you blink, you\u2019re refreshing a layer of moisture on the surface of your eyes that protects them from dust and debris. Artificial tears aid dry eyes when your body isn\u2019t doing this effectively on its own. Lubricating eye drops moisten the surface of the eye with lubricants and elements found in natural tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergy Eye Drops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The name\u2019s a giveaway\u2014allergy drops are eye drops that are made for eyes reacting to common allergens like dust, dander, mold, and pollen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer from allergies, you\u2019re probably all too familiar with the red, itchy, watery, or dry eyes that accompany your allergens. When you know your eye irritation is being caused by allergies, that\u2019s when you reach for the allergy drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just be sure to check with your doctor to make sure what you\u2019re experiencing is allergy-related. If you choose eye drops that aren\u2019t right for you, then you might not get the relief you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Allergy Eye Drops Help Dry, Red Eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your body reacts to allergens, it releases histamines that cause your allergy symptoms. Allergy eye drops have antihistamines in them to stop those annoying eye symptoms. Some allergy eye drops work by actually preventing your body from making the histamines altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, you\u2019ll need to use allergy eye drops for two weeks to experience their full benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-redness Drops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anti-redness drops are\u2014you guessed it\u2014eye drops for red eyes<\/a>. These drops are for making the whites of eyes that are red or \u201cbloodshot\u201d appear clear again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red or \u201cbloodshot\u201d eyes<\/a> that aren\u2019t caused by allergies usually come from some kind of temporary irritation\u2014like experiencing overtiredness or extreme eye strain<\/a>, or being in a smoky room for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Anti-redness Drops Should Be Used Cautiously<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-redness drops should be used sparingly, in one-off cases, since they can actually make red eyes worse if overused or not used properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-redness eye drops are made with decongestants. When your eyes appear red or bloodshot, it\u2019s because irritation causes the blood vessels in your eyes to swell. Decongestants relieve this swelling temporarily, making the redness go away too. It\u2019s because of these decongestants that anti-redness drops should be used sparingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: Are Eye Drops Bad for You?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of using anti-redness drops cautiously, you should check with your doctor if you\u2019re frequently experiencing red eyes\u2014they could be caused by other eye conditions<\/a> that need your eye doctor\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Dry,\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Dry, red eyes that won\u2019t quit?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Time to check in with an eye doctor. Our expert optometrists can help you find the root cause of persistent eye symptoms.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tMake an appointment <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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Eye Drops With Preservatives vs. Preservative-Free Eye Drops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for eye drops to contain preservatives\u2014these are chemicals that prevent bacteria growth after the bottle has been opened. Eye drops with preservatives are often less expensive, but they can sometimes make dry eyes worse, especially if the dryness is more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preservative-free drops contain fewer chemicals, so optometrists<\/a> usually recommend these eye drops if you\u2019re going to use eye drops more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prescription Eye Drops for Dry Eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your case of dry eyes is severe, your eye doctor may recommend prescription eye drops. Prescription eye drops for dry eyes typically work by helping your eyes produce more natural tears. These drops may include medicines called cyclosporine or lifitegrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still Unsure What Eye Drops to Use for Your Dry Eyes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best eye drops for your dry eyes are the ones your eye doctor recommends. If you feel like you need to use eye drops every day, multiple times a day, then there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Whenever you have questions about your eye health, it\u2019s always best to make an appointment with your eye doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When your eyes are feeling dry or irritated, you\u2019re understandably going to want some fast relief. But if you head to the store in search of eye drops, you\u2019ll find that there are tons of different types to choose from. And grabbing the wrong kind could end up doing more harm than good. To understand […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":1042,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eye-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEye Drops for Dry Eyes: Which Type Is Best? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many different types of eye drops. Read on to learn which kind might be best for your dry eyes.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-drops-for-dry-eyes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Which Type Is Best? | Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There are many different types of eye drops. 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