For dry, itchy, red eyes, these are the OTC eye drops that eye doctors recommend.
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What to consider
Purpose
Eye drops may be designed to treat dryness, redness or other eye issues. Some conditions require prescription eye drops instead of over-the-counter ones.
Ingredients
Make sure to look at the active ingredients in your eye drops — some chemicals can cause issues in the eyes over time.
Preservatives
Depending on how often you plan to use the eye drops and what youre using them for, a preservative-free brand may be best. Also, some preservatives are safer than others.
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Having dry, itchy, red eyes caused by allergies, cold, dry weather, contact lenses or specific medical conditions can be frustrating. But one product that can provide relief is eye drops, which you can easily purchase over the counter at your local drugstore. To help you find the best over-the-counter eye drops for your personal needs, we reached out to eye doctors to find out which eye drops they recommend to their own patients.
Just remember that using eye drops is not a replacement for regular eye exams that check for your overall vision and eye health.
The IVIZIA eye drops are a top favorite among eye doctors for multi-purpose use.
The iVizia sterile lubricant eye drops are our pick for the best eye drops overall, because theyre recommended by many professionals and versatile enough for a range of eye issues.
Why we like it: The iVizia eye drops are a favorite among ophthalmologists. These artificial tear eye drops come in a small bottle and are intended for dry eyes, but theyre multipurpose and can work for just about any eye issue.
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, an optometrist and medical reviewer at All About Vision, said, These drops have one of my preferred lubricants in it known as povidone and the high-technology dispenser has a filter in it to prevent contamination, and allows the artificial tears to be preservative-free and dispensed from a multiuse container.
Who its best for: According to Dr. Natalya Rooney, optometrist and owner of Merrick Avenue Optometry, another great aspect of these drops is their versatility and efficiency. These drops can also be used with contact lenses and the size of the drop is smaller than other artificial tears which makes it easy to not waste drops, she said.
One user Amazon user with a condition that causes complete eye closure and dryness said IVIZIA is the only eye drop that has helped them. For the price, longevity and comfort, IVIZIA is my absolute favorite.
Why we like it: Systane is a trusted brand recommended by optometrists for those with dry eyes. As someone whos struggled with dry eye symptoms, this product is my usual go-to. The Systane eye drops come in a small bottle and work for up to eight hours and are ideal for dry, sensitive eyes. The bottle is designed to dispense nano droplets so you dont waste any product. They’re also safe for regular use, as they’re free of preservatives and carry a lower risk of toxicity.
Who its best for: Dr. Celia Koetting, an optometrist and clinical instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said she likes these drops for all kinds of dry eyes, and theyre also safe to use during pregnancy, which can bring on a case of dryness.
One user on Amazon raves about Systane eye drops and claims theyre the only eye drops that work for them. They use the drops morning, afternoon and evening and said, I notice almost instant relief, and I really do like the design of the dropper because it minimizes the drop that I have to put in my eye and increases the life of the bottle.
If youre prone to red eyes, its important to know whats causing them before self-medicating. Koetting said that if someone has red eyes, it is typically a symptom of something else, such as more severe dry eye disease and is a good idea to see an eye care professional, especially if there is any sudden pain with it.
Dr. John Sheppard, an ophthalmologist and professor of ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, agrees and advises avoiding vasoconstrictor eye drops with naphazoline, a decongestant thats usually found in OTC eye drops like Visine or Clear Eyes. This ingredient is also known to restrict blood flow, which can cause high blood pressure.
Why we like it: These types of drops induce dependency, so I prefer Lumify, said Dr. Sheppard. If youve cleared with your doctor that its appropriate to use OTC drops for redness, Lumify is a solid choice. Lumify is a small bottle that contains brimonidine, which is commonly used in glaucoma medication. It also helps reduce pressure and fluid in the eyes.
Who its best for: As long as you arent dealing with an infection or other medical complication, Lumify is safe to use, especially if youre looking to reduce eye redness fast.
One Amazon, one reviewer loves Lumify because of how quickly it works, saying, They work incredibly fast — within minutes, my eyes go from red and tired to bright and refreshed. Additionally, he likes that it doesnt cause rebound redness, unlike some other brands.
Why we like it: If you use contact lenses, youre probably used to having dry eyes when you wear them for too long. Thats why its important to rewet them throughout the day. Blink eye drops come in a small bottle and are popular lubricating eye drops for contact lens users. These drops can be used before inserting your contacts or after. Blink contacts arent preservative-free and include an ingredient known as OcuPure which is a gentle oxidative preservative made up of sodium chloride and other ingredients that transform into natural tear components in the eye.
Who its best for: This is one of Dr. Stokkermans top eye drop picks. I like Blink Contacts because it has a good preservative OcuPure that does not cause as much eye problems, he said. If youre not sure if Blink Eye Drops are right for your contact needs, consult with your eye doctor first.
One Amazon user who is a fan of the drops loves that these eye drops save them from the dry weather in their hometown. It is easy to use and pop into your pocket to have at all times because you never know when you will need it with contacts … living in the desert!
Why we like it: I personally like the single vials Systane offers: Theyre easy to toss in your bag when youre on the go and theyre less wasteful. Systanes Hydration PF eye drops differ from our other top pick, Systane Complete PF eye drops, because the former is more for those who need to regularly hydrate their eyes during recovery.
These hydration drops are Koettings top pick for patients whove had LASIK eye surgery because they provide long-lasting relief and have the necessary extra moisturizing hydration components. One Amazon user swears by these drops and says the hydration works well for him, saying: I have tried about 10 different drops over the past four or five years for my dry eyes and Systane Hydration works the best for me. He adds: They have a longer shelf life once they’re open than most due to the design of the bottle cap.
Who its best for: One of the post-surgery side effects of LASIK or cataract eye surgery is dry eyes. Systane’s Hydration PF eye drops are a safe choice to help relieve dryness after eye surgery.
Why we like it: Pataday extra strength is a pretty effective drop and all you need to do is apply it once daily to each eye, Dr. Rooney said. If youre uncertain if Pataday will work for your allergy condition, remember to consult your doctor in case you are a better candidate for a medicated option. One Amazon user who is loyal to Pataday said they were dealing with dry eyes caused by allergies until they tried Pataday. They said, My optometrist suggested I try Pataday and I gave it a few weeks before I started really noticing something. They added that its been a bit over a month now and they can comfortably wear my contacts again without experiencing dryness.
Who its best for: Allergy sufferers know that allergy season can wreak havoc on eyes. Thats why having dependable eye drops on hand can be helpful. Pataday Once Daily Relief Allergy Eye Drops come in a small bottle and are recommended by physicians because they contain an antihistamine that offers fast symptom relief for mild to moderate allergies. They can tackle indoor and outdoor allergens like dander, pollen, ragweed and grass. If you use contact lenses, its not advised to use these drops while wearing them, and if you do, you should wait 10 minutes after application before inserting them.
Why we like it: The Optase Hylo Night Dry Eye Ointment comes in a tube and is a favorite of Koetting, who recommends this preservative-free drop meant for patients with certain sleeping conditions. For those who have a CPAP machine or may sleep with eyes partially open, this ointment in particular is good because it has Vitamin A to help heal the front surface, she said.
Optase is safe for everyday use and is applied to the eyelids before bed. People with moderate to severe dry eyes may find relief using this ointment regularly. If your eyes dont seem to improve after some time, speak with your doctor to find a better or stronger solution. On Amazon, a user with thyroid eye disease claims that Optase is the only eye ointment that has worked for them. They said, I have TED and my eyelids no longer close all the way so nighttime eye ointment is now an everyday part of my life. I have tried all the over the counter brands and this brand is by far hands down the best.
Who its best for: Sometimes overnight drops are necessary when your eyes need extra lubrication. Overnight drops are different from your standard eye drops. Oftentimes a thicker gel or ointment may be recommended for overnight eight-hour relief while sleeping, said Dr. Nathan Lighthizer, an optometrist and associate dean at the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry.
April 3, 2025: Added Amazon reviews to each product. List selections have been unchanged.
We consulted with six ophthalmologists and optometrists who prescribe eye drops to patients regularly and are familiar with the many over-the-counter eye drop brands on the market. We compiled their expertise and recommendations, which were based on ingredients, safety, ease of use, versatility and other factors.
Before buying any type of eye drops, its important to speak with your doctor so they can evaluate your issue. In some cases, OTC eye drops are sufficient, but in other situations, you may need prescription medicated drops.
If your issue can be resolved with OTC eye drops, you should know that there are drops with preservatives and others without them. The preservative-free eye drops are generally safe for most people — including pregnant people. Drops with preservatives should be used more conservatively because they can worsen some cases. The same is true for other drops, such as the ones for redness relief.
Poor-quality artificial tears, or ones that tout the red out, often have chemicals that can cause problems including rebound redness, dilation of the eyes, corneal toxicity, blurred vision and worsening of dry eye disease, Koetting warned.
Dr. Edmund Farris, an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai, added that these preservatives have the ability to change aspects of the eye. He said, the preservatives in most drops can alter the corneal surface and cause loss of these superficial corneal cells, which may eventually lead to more symptoms. So if youre using these types of drops too often, this can become an issue.
Some signs to look out for if you think youre having a negative reaction to eye drops include redness that gets worse, irritation, blurred vision and a burning or grittiness sensation. Often times this occurs due to the preservatives found in some drops. Koetting said that if these symptoms dont improve, it can indicate an allergy or sensitivity to the drops. However, if a person notices that they are having an increase in itching, swelling around the eye or the whites of the eyes become swollen and red, they should immediately discontinue the drop and call an eye care professional, she added.
In some cases, you may need steroids or other medicated treatments if OTC eye drops are not doing their job.
Oftentimes, dry eye disease has multiple causes, and will take multiple treatments to see improvement, Dr. Lighthizer said. He added that a patient with mild to severe dry eye may require multiple treatments, including OTC artificial tears (usually preservative-free) along with a prescription dry eye drop.
According to Koetting, a good rule of thumb to follow is if the symptoms have minimal improvement over two weeks or if you find yourself using over-the-counter artificial tears more than twice a day.
There are various ways to treat dry eyes, and what works for you will depend on whats causing your dry eyes. Below are the different ways you can treat dry eyes.
Over-the-counter drops: This is one of the immediate ways to treat dry eyes since many drops are fast-acting and are usually safe to use regularly.
Home remedies: Sometimes home remedies can help relieve itchy eyes. You can use a warm compress, avoid sitting near a fan or air conditioner, drinking more water, getting better sleep and more.
Prescription drops: If your dry eyes are severe enough that over-the-counter drops cant fix the issue, your doctor will most likely prescribe a specialized drop to help you.
Dry eyes can be caused by environmental changes, allergies, certain medicines, long-time screen use, vitamin deficiencies, underlying health conditions, tear production reduction as you age, contact lens wear and more.
How often you use eye drops may vary based on your symptoms and the eye drops youre using. Be sure to follow the directions on the package of your chosen eye drops to ensure that youre using the correct number of drops at the appropriate frequency. Some eye drops are designed for daily use for ongoing eye dryness, while others are meant for short-term use and may advise you to stop and contact your doctor if your symptoms dont improve within a set time period.
Preservative-free eye drops are generally safe to use daily or as directed on the bottle.
Eye drops are effective at hydrating the eyes and relieving dryness, but they dont treat the underlying issue behind your eye symptoms. Those experiencing symptoms of an infection or severe dryness may require prescription eye drops and should consult a medical professional.
You can improve dry eye without eye drops by drinking enough water, taking screen breaks, blinking more often and protecting your eyes from the sun.
It depends on what youre dealing with. For mild symptoms, over-the-counter eye drops can be sufficient, while moderate or severe conditions may require prescription eye drops. If youre not sure which is best, consult your eye doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Celia Koetting, an optometrist and clinical instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, recommends Systane Complete PF eye drops for dry eyes.
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