Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your eyes produce the wrong type of tear film, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The act of blinking produces a three-layer film of tears to spread over the eye, which keeps the eye surface smooth and clear, and is essential for proper vision. Other forms of over-the-counter dry eye treatment, as reflected in our ranking, can include gels or ointments (often used at bedtime).

If your eye irritation persists or gets worse after using these drops, or you experience a headache, eye pain, vision changes or continued redness, you should stop using these eye drops and consult your doctor. Vision Center is a leading and trusted online resource for vision health. We research information about vision, including product recommendations, primary vision care, procedures, costs, and more. This helps if your dry eyes are related to working on the computer or doing other deep-focus tasks. Long-term use of digital devices may contribute to blurry vision. Every 20 minutes, stop and stare at an item 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 4. Stay Hydrated It is also important to follow storage instructions. Storing eye drops in areas that are too hot or cold may reduce the shelf life or effectiveness of the product. What is the difference between eye gel and eye drops?FDA recommended the manufacturer of these products recall all lots on October 25, 2023, after agency investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility. FDA also recommends consumers properly discard these products. Glaucoma – this condition is caused by damage to the optic nerve inside the eye. In the early stages, eye drops can help reduce the pressure inside your eye and reduce the damage to your optic nerve Clear Eyes Once Daily, Eye Allergy Itch Relief: Lot 114349, Lot 117396, Lot 0120128, Lot 114371, and Lot 123781. Non-prescription drops may be traditional eye drops, gels, or ointments. Gels and ointments tend to stay in your eyes longer. They are recommended for overnight use. Eye Drops With Preservatives Eye drops are intended to be sterile, especially due to a heightened risk for infection since they bypass some of the body's natural defenses by being applied directly into the eyes. As of this writing, Kilitch Healthcare India Limited “has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall,” according to a news release posted by the FDA.

Dry eye – sometimes (especially as people age) eyes can start to produce fewer tears, leaving them feeling scratchy, stinging and red. Over-the-counter drops can help to reduce this dryness and soothe the irritationCohen, S., et al. (2014). Evaluation of clinical outcomes in patients with dry eye disease using lubricant eye drops containing polyethylene glycol or carboxymethylcellulose. After extensive research and product testing, this article also underwent an intensive review process: Several other types of eye drops are made to treat other problems besides dry eye. These include: 1. Rewetting Eye Drops We also regularly update the article to ensure the prices, product information, and other details are still right.

Lubricating eye drops can help relieve symptoms of infections. However, they don’t cure them. If you have an eye infection, it’s best to speak with an eye doctor before purchasing any eye drops. Best for MGD: Refresh Optive Mega-3 Lubricant Eye Drops, Preservative-Free or See Your Doctor Best Eye Drops (Artificial Tears) for Dry Eyes

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. It’s worth keeping in mind that many OTC eye drops contain preservatives, and risk of adverse effects increases with frequent use—if you are administering your eye drops on a more regular basis (more than six times a day), consider a preservative-free option. When your body has an allergic reaction, it releases histamines. These cause allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.Non-prescription lubricating eye drops can treat most cases of mild to moderate dry eye. If environmental factors cause dry eyes, you should start with these eye drops. If over-the-counter (non-prescription) drops aren’t solving your dry eye problems, you may have MGD. There are several treatment options for MGD. Speak with your doctor to find the right treatment for you.