Dry, scratchy eyes aren’t just uncomfortable—they can blur vision and disrupt daily life. For adults in Louisville who spend long hours on screens or have autoimmune conditions, relief starts with understanding your tear film and getting the right plan at Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drops come in several categories, while prescription treatments and supportive therapies can target the root of the problem. In this comprehensive guide from Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute, you’ll learn how the tear film works, why dry eye occurs, the pros and cons of various drops, and when it’s time to schedule a full eye exam.

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer: What Works for Dry Eyes?
  
• Tear Film 101 & Types of Dry Eye
  
• Risk Factors & Symptoms
  
• Eye Drop Types (What they’re good for)
  
• Choose the Right Drops for Your Situation
  
• How to Use Eye Drops Safely & Effectively
  
• OTC vs Prescription: When to Escalate
  
• Beyond Drops: Relief That Multiplies
  
• What to Do Next
  
• FAQs

   

Quick Answer: What Works for Dry Eyes?

Finding the right eye drops depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Here’s a fast guide:

• Mild/intermittent symptoms: Start with over-the-counter lubricating (“artificial tear”) drops for fast comfort.
• Evaporative dryness/blepharitis: Consider lipid-supporting drops that help reinforce the oil layer of your tears.
  
• If symptoms persist: Schedule an eye exam to tailor treatment, which may include punctal plugs or prescription options like Restasis® when appropriate.

   

Symptoms You Might Notice

Dry, gritty, or filmy sensation; burning or itching; redness; blurred vision; light sensitivity; and even periodic tearing due to reflex over-production.

Tear Film 101 & Types of Dry Eye

Your eye’s surface is coated by a delicate tear film of tears, lipids and mucus that keeps vision stable. When tear output or the lipid layer declines, areas of dryness can cause burning and intermittent blur. Dry eye is more common in women and increases with age; autoimmune disease and blepharitis are common contributors. Less blinking during reading/TV also worsens evaporation.

Why different types of dry eye occur

• Aqueous-deficient dry eye: Occurs when tear glands produce too little aqueous fluid. Causes include aging, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes.
  
• Evaporative dry eye: Often results from meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, or environmental factors. The oil layer weakens, leading to rapid evaporation.
  
• Mixed dry eye: A combination of both mechanisms, common in aging eyes.

Matching the right drop to the specific tear film problem is critical for effective relief.

Risk Factors & Symptoms

Dry eye becomes more likely when certain risk factors are present:

• Age and gender: More common after age 50 and in women, due to hormonal changes.
  
• Lifestyle: Long screen time, prolonged reading, and dry environments accelerate tear evaporation.
  
• Health conditions and medications: Diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood-pressure drugs can all reduce tear production.
• Contact lenses and refractive surgery: Both can destabilize the tear film.
  

Common symptoms include:

• Gritty, scratchy, or burning sensation\
  
• Redness and watery eyes
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Light sensitivity
  
• Over-watering (reflex tearing)
  

If these symptoms persist despite artificial tears, schedule a comprehensive evaluation with an eye doctor.

Eye Drop Types (What they’re good for)

Not all eye drops are the same. They vary in viscosity, preservatives, and active ingredients.

• Artificial tears (first-line): Quick symptom relief; brands your doctor may suggest include Refresh® or Systane®.
  
• Lipid-supporting drops: Products like Systane® Balance help support the lipid (oil) layer for evaporative dryness.
  
• Prescription options: Restasis® can help increase your eyes’ natural ability to produce tears when inflammation contributes.

Preserved vs. Preservative-Free Drops

Choosing between preserved and preservative-free eye drops depends on frequency of use:

• Preserved drops: Multi-dose bottles contain preservatives to prevent bacteria but can irritate the eyes with frequent use.
  
• Preservative-free drops: Come in single-use vials. Safer for sensitive eyes or when applying drops more than four times daily.
  

Though preservative-free options cost more, they reduce the risk of chemical irritation and are preferred for moderate to severe dry eye.

Viscosity Tiers

Eye drops differ in thickness, which affects how long they last and when they’re best used:

• Thin (low-viscosity): Spread quickly, don’t blur vision, but may require frequent dosing—ideal for daytime use.
  
• Medium (gel-like): Last longer, good for moderate dryness or before naps.
  
• Thick (gel/ointment): Provide overnight protection but blur vision—best reserved for bedtime or severe cases.

   

When to Avoid Redness Relievers

Decongestant drops marketed as “whitening” or “get the red out” only shrink surface blood vessels. They don’t treat dry eye and can cause rebound redness once the effect fades. Over time, this can worsen symptoms and even lead to dependency.

Tip: For redness caused by dryness, choose lubricating artificial tears instead.

Choose the Right Drops for Your Situation

Your lifestyle and health conditions should guide your eye drop selection.

Contact-lens wearers

• Use only rewetting drops labeled safe for contact lenses
  
• Never use ointments or gel drops with lenses
  
• Persistent dryness may require switching to daily disposables or treating underlying gland dysfunction
  

When to call a doctor: Redness, discharge, or hazy vision while wearing contacts can signal infection or corneal damage.

Allergies + dry eye

• Combine antihistamine or mast-cell stabilizing drops with lubricating tears
  
• Use preservative-free tears during peak allergy season
  
• Reduce allergens indoors with air purifiers and keep windows closed
  

When to call: If OTC allergy drops don’t work or your eyes swell, you may need prescription options.

Diabetes & dry eye

• Diabetes reduces tear production and nerve sensitivity, raising infection risk
  
• Use preservative-free lubricants regularly and monitor blood glucose closely
  
• Schedule annual comprehensive eye exams to detect complications early
  

When to call: Persistent dryness, floaters, or blurred vision may indicate diabetic retinopathy.

Heavy screen time

• Blinking less during computer use causes tears to evaporate quickly
  
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  
• Consider gel drops for longer-lasting relief
  
• Improve air quality with a humidifier and avoid direct airflow
  

When to call: Ongoing eye strain, headaches, or blurred vision may indicate computer vision syndrome.

How to Use Eye Drops Safely & Effectively

Applying drops correctly ensures maximum benefit and minimizes risk of contamination. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends:

1. Wash your hands before handling drops.
   
2. Remove contacts unless using rewetting drops.
   
3. Shake if required and avoid touching the dropper tip.
   
4. Tilt head back, pull down lower eyelid, and create a pocket.
   
5. Instill one drop without letting the bottle touch your eye.
   
6. Close eyes and press tear ducts gently for 1 minute to prevent drainage.
   
7. Wait 3–5 minutes between different drops.
   
8. Store properly and discard expired or single-use vials immediately.
   

Stop use if you notice worsening pain, swelling, discharge, or vision changes.

OTC vs Prescription: When to Escalate

Most mild cases respond to artificial tears, but persistent symptoms lasting more than 2–4 weeks warrant a professional evaluation.

Prescription and in-office treatments may include:

• Cyclosporine (Restasis, Cequa): Boosts tear production, though results may take months.
  
• Lifitegrast (Xiidra): Reduces inflammation, often improving symptoms in weeks.
  
• Corticosteroids: Short-term relief under doctor supervision.
  
• Autologous serum drops: Made from your own blood plasma for severe cases.
  
• Punctal occlusion: Tear duct plugs to retain natural tears.
  
• MGD therapies: Warm pulsation or gland expression to improve oil flow.

   

When to see a doctor:

• Symptoms persist despite OTC drops
  
• Eyelid swelling, discharge, or crusting
  
• History of autoimmune disease or diabetes
  
• Post-surgical complications or eye injury

   

Beyond Drops: Relief That Multiplies

Eye drops are just one piece of the puzzle. Additional strategies can improve comfort:

• Warm compresses & lid hygiene: Improve oil flow and prevent gland blockages
  
• Humidifier use: Reduces dryness indoors
  
• Wraparound sunglasses: Shield against wind and dust
  
• Omega-3 supplements: Support tear quality and reduce inflammation
  
• Hydration & blinking: Encourage full, frequent blinks during screen use
  
• Adequate sleep: Supports tear production and eye surface health (NEI)