Artificial tears can often provide quick relief when allergies, computer eyestrain, dry or windy weather conditions, or other factors lead to dry, tired eyes. Artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops, are available over the counter (OTC). For people with serious dry eye health concerns, prescription eye drops may be necessary.
Artificial tears are generally safe, and many people tolerate them well. There are, however, some important safety guidelines to follow to avoid infection or other complications. If dry eye is more than an occasional concern, you can discuss additional treatment options with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How artificial tears work
Protecting the eye’s surface is a tear film consisting of an oily layer on the outside, a watery layer in the middle, and a mucus layer closest to the cornea. The tear film lubricates the eye, helps protect against infection, and keeps the eye’s surface clear to support good vision. If any layer of the tear film isn’t working as it should, you can experience dry eye symptoms.
Artificial tears come in drops, gels, or ointments. Eye drops can help add to the watery layer of the tear film. The thicker gels and ointments support the oily layer. Thicker artificial tears tend to stay in your eyes longer, but they can also cause temporary irritation or blurriness. You can use them at bedtime or when you can take a few moments away from work, screens, driving, or other tasks that require clear vision.
While artificial tears can primarily treat dry eyes, they can also help wash out certain irritants such as dust, pollen, or hair.
Choosing artificial tears
While many brands of artificial tears are on the market, there are two main types of lubricating eye drops. You can buy drops with or without preservatives. The preservatives in eye drops are chemicals such as benzalkonium chloride, polyquaternium, and sodium chlorite. They help protect against infection but can irritate the eyes, especially if used several times a day. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends trying preservative-free artificial tears if you need to use them at least four times a day.
A 2016 research review involving more than 3,000 participants with dry eye suggested that OTC artificial tears are safe and that most brands are similarly effective. However, because the drops’ specific ingredients and concentrations of those ingredients can vary from one product to another, you may have to try more than one brand of artificial tears to find the right one for you.
As of May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration released a statement due to a recall of some artificial tear eye drops that are no longer safe. Contact a doctor if you have questions about finding the right eye drops.
Always wash your hands well before using eye drops, and avoid letting the vial touch part of your eye to prevent contamination. When applying eye drops, tilt your head back and look up. Gently pull down on your lower eyelid and only squeeze out the number of drops recommended on the label or your prescription.
Keep your eye closed for a few seconds. Placing a finger in the corner of your closed eye nearest your nose may also help keep the drops in your eye. Try not to rub your eyes immediately after using artificial tears.
Repeated use of the same eye drop vials may raise the risk of eye infection if the drops don’t contain preservatives. The National Eye Institute recommends single-use vials of artificial tears to reduce the risk of infection.
Also, keep in mind that artificial tears are medications, and they can have side effects. It’s possible to have an allergy to artificial tears. Symptoms may include itchiness and swelling. If this occurs, contact your doctor, as these symptoms may relate to an underlying condition. If you develop any breathing difficulties, get to an emergency room.
People can use preservative-free artificial tears several times a day as needed. However, if you experience dry eye symptoms frequently, talk with your doctor and explain your symptoms. Prescription eye drops may be a treatment option. Your doctor may also suggest you change your habits when it comes to reading or screen time — to make sure you blink enough to keep your eyes lubricated well. Periodically turning your gaze away from what you’re looking at may help.