Dry Eye
Over the counter relief options
Is your eye dry, not producing enough tears?
Dry eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears, leaving the eye surface unprotected and irritated. This causes a gritty, sandy, or burning feeling, and vision may blur until you blink. Dryness is often triggered by aging, hormonal changes, long hours on screens, contact lens use, certain medications, or dry indoor air.
As the tear film breaks down, the eyes become inflamed, tired, and sensitive, and may even water excessively as a reflex response. Persistent dryness can interfere with reading, driving, and overall comfort.
Pharmacist-recommended products​​
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​​Lubricant Eye Drops
Systane Ultra® (Polyethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol)
Offers a slightly thicker texture that stays on the eye longer than basic drops, providing enhanced comfort for people who experience dryness from screen use, prolonged reading, or air-conditioned environments. It absorbs well without leaving heavy blur, making it ideal for daytime relief during intense visual tasks.
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Refresh Tears® (Carboxymethylcellulose)
A lightweight, fast-absorbing option for mild, intermittent dryness, especially in people with sensitive eyes or those who need drops multiple times throughout the day. It’s one of the gentlest formulas, making it a preferred choice for beginners or people who don’t like thicker drops.
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Blink Tears® (Polyethylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate)
Includes hyaluronic acid, a compound naturally found in the eye, which binds and retains moisture for deeper hydration. It’s especially helpful for contact lens wearers (in lens-safe versions), individuals with early dry eye disease, or those who feel their eyes dry out quickly in windy or dry climates.
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Preservative-Free & Specialized Drops
Systane Hydration® PF Single-Use Vials (Hyaluronic Acid)
Completely preservative-free and packaged in sterile single-use vials, making them ideal for very sensitive eyes, post-procedure care (LASIK, PRK), or people who use drops more than 4 times per day, when preservatives could cause irritation. Excellent for those who experience burning or stinging from preserved drops.
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Refresh Optive® Mega-3 PF
An oil-enriched, preservative-free formula that targets the lipid layer of the tear film, reducing tear evaporation. Best for people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), eyelid inflammation, styes, blepharitis, or dryness that worsens in windy or low-humidity environments.
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Refresh Optive® Gel Drops
A thicker, gel-like drop that forms a protective coating over the eye, helpful for moderate to severe dryness, nighttime dryness, or people who feel like their eyes are “scratching” or burning throughout the day. Provides longer-lasting relief but may cause slight temporary blurring right after application.
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Nighttime Relief
Systane Nighttime® PF Eye Ointment – A preservative-free ointment that stays on the eye surface for hours, ideal for severe dryness, exposure keratopathy, CPAP-related dryness, or people who sleep with partially open eyelids. It creates a long-lasting moisture seal, but because it causes significant blur, it should be used only at night.
Pharmacist Recommendations
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Best for Sensitive Eyes
For people with sensitive eyes or those needing drops multiple times a day, preservative-free formulas like Systane Hydration® PF and Refresh Optive® Mega-3 PF are gentler and reduce the risk of irritation. They’re also ideal after eye procedures or when preservatives cause burning or stinging.
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Best for Computer or Phone Use
Screen time can cause dryness from reduced blinking. Systane Ultra® provides longer-lasting comfort during prolonged digital work, while Blink Tears®, with hyaluronic acid, helps retain moisture for those who spend hours on phones, tablets, or computers.
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Best for Contact Lens Wearers
People who wear contact lenses benefit from lens-safe drops such as Blink Tears® (select versions) and preservative-free single-use vials. These options hydrate the eyes without coating or damaging the lenses.
Best for Severe or Chronic Dry Eye
For more persistent dryness, thicker and specialized formulas are most effective. Refresh Optive® Gel Drops offer extended relief during the day, Systane Nighttime® PF Ointment protects the eyes overnight, and Refresh Optive® Mega-3 PF supports the lipid layer for those with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or evaporative dry eye.
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Best for Occasional Midday Dryness
When dryness appears only occasionally—such as in air-conditioned rooms or windy conditions—Refresh Tears®provides quick, light moisture without heaviness or blur. It’s ideal for on-the-go rehydration.
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Best for Frequent Users
For people who need drops many times throughout the day, preservative-free options are the safest choice. They prevent irritation caused by repeated exposure to preservatives found in many bottled drops.
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When to See a Doctor
Most cases of dry eye are mild and manageable with OTC products. However, seek medical care if symptoms are severe, persist despite regular treatment, or are accompanied by redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, sudden changes in vision, or excessive discharge. These may indicate an underlying condition requiring professional evaluation.
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