When should you use lubricant eye drops?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, millions of people suffer from dry eye disease, with symptoms ranging from mild irritation to significant discomfort. Understanding when should you use lubricant eye drops is crucial for managing these symptoms effectively and protecting your long-term eye health.

Quick Summary

Lubricating eye drops, or artificial tears, are used to relieve dry, irritated, and burning eyes caused by environmental factors, screen fatigue, and certain medical conditions. The best time to use them is at the first sign of discomfort to replenish moisture and soothe the eyes. Different formulations, like preservative-free drops, gels, and ointments, are suited for various needs and severities.

Key Points

Symptom Relief: Use lubricant eye drops for burning, stinging, gritty, or tired eyes caused by dryness.
Environmental Protection: Apply drops before or after exposure to windy, smoky, or dry conditions to prevent irritation.
Screen Time Management: Counter digital eye strain by using drops during and after long periods of computer or phone use.
Contact Lens Care: Utilize specific rewetting drops for contacts or remove lenses before using other types of lubricating drops to avoid damage or irritation.
Choose Wisely: Opt for preservative-free drops for frequent use or sensitive eyes, and thicker gels/ointments for long-lasting, overnight relief.
When to See a Doctor: Consult an eye care professional if your symptoms persist, worsen, or if over-the-counter drops do not provide adequate relief.
Proper Hygiene: Always wash your hands before use and avoid touching the dropper tip to prevent contamination.

Understanding Dry Eye and the Role of Lubricant Eye Drops

Dry eye occurs when your tears cannot provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This common condition can result from insufficient tear production or poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. The tear film, which covers the eye's surface, is a delicate balance of three layers: a watery layer, a mucus layer, and an oily layer. When this balance is disrupted, symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, and a gritty sensation can occur. Lubricant eye drops, often called artificial tears, are designed to supplement or mimic the natural tear film, providing temporary relief and protecting the eye's surface.

When to Reach for Lubricant Eye Drops

You should use lubricant eye drops whenever you experience the tell-tale symptoms of dry eye. Catching the discomfort early can prevent the irritation from escalating. Here are some common situations and symptoms that warrant the use of artificial tears:

Environmental Factors: Exposure to wind, smoke, or dry climates, such as those caused by air conditioning or heating, can cause tears to evaporate rapidly, leading to dryness and irritation. Using drops before and after spending time in such environments can be beneficial.
Digital Eye Strain: Staring at a computer, phone, or TV for extended periods often causes a person to blink less frequently. Reduced blinking leads to less lubrication and increased eye strain. Using drops during and after prolonged screen time can provide relief.
Contact Lens Wear: Wearing contact lenses can sometimes lead to discomfort and dryness. It is important to use rewetting drops specifically formulated for contacts to lubricate the lenses and the eye. Regular lubricating drops may be incompatible or cause residue buildup.
Aging: As people get older, tear production tends to decrease naturally. For many, this makes daily use of lubricant drops a necessity to maintain comfort.
Certain Medications: Some medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and blood pressure medicine, can cause dry eye as a side effect. If you notice increased dryness after starting a new medication, consult your doctor about using lubricant drops.
Post-Surgical Dryness: Following certain eye surgeries like LASIK, patients often experience temporary dry eye symptoms. Lubricant drops are commonly used as part of the post-operative care regimen.

Choosing the Right Type of Lubricant Eye Drops

The vast number of options available over the counter can be overwhelming. Choosing the right product depends on the severity of your symptoms, frequency of use, and personal sensitivities. The main distinction is between drops with preservatives and preservative-free drops.

Preservative vs. Preservative-Free Drops:

Preservative-Containing Drops: These come in multi-use bottles and contain chemicals, like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), to prevent bacterial growth. They are suitable for people who use drops sparingly (no more than 4 times a day). Overusing preserved drops can lead to preservative toxicity, which can damage the corneal surface and worsen dry eye symptoms.
Preservative-Free Drops: These are recommended for individuals with sensitive eyes, moderate to severe dry eye, or those who need to use drops more than four times a day. They typically come in single-use vials to prevent contamination, making them a gentler and safer option for frequent application.

Viscosity and Formulation:

Liquid Drops: These are the standard, thin artificial tears. They provide quick relief with minimal to no temporary blurring, making them ideal for daytime use.
Gels and Ointments: These are thicker and more viscous than liquid drops. They offer longer-lasting lubrication and are particularly useful for overnight use, but they can cause temporary blurred vision upon application. Ointments are the thickest and most suitable for severe dryness, especially at night.

Comparing Different Types of Lubricant Eye Drops


Feature	Preservative-Free Drops	Preserved Drops	Gels/Ointments
Best For	Frequent use (>4x/day), sensitive eyes, moderate-to-severe dry eye	Occasional use (<4x/day), mild symptoms	Overnight use, severe dryness
Longevity	Medium	Short	Longest
Packaging	Single-use vials	Multi-dose bottle	Tube
Effect on Vision	Minimal blurring	Minimal blurring	Temporary blurring
Cost	Often more expensive per dose	Generally less expensive	Mid-range
Key Ingredient Examples	Sodium hyaluronate, glycerin	Povidone, carboxymethylcellulose (with preservatives)	Carbomer, mineral oil, lanolin

Best Practices for Applying and Using Eye Drops

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling eye drops to prevent contamination.
Do not touch the tip of the dropper to your eye or any other surface.
Tilt your head back, pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket, and squeeze the bottle to release one drop.
After applying the drop, gently close your eye for a moment to allow the solution to spread evenly.
If you are using contact lenses, confirm that your drops are safe for use with contacts. For most preserved drops, you should remove lenses before applying and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting.
Do not use eye drops that have changed color or become cloudy.
Store drops according to the manufacturer's instructions and discard them after the specified period (e.g., 30 days after opening).
If your symptoms worsen or persist despite regular use of drops, consult an eye care professional.

Conclusion

Knowing when should you use lubricant eye drops is the first step toward effective dry eye management. Whether your symptoms are caused by environmental exposure, prolonged screen use, or underlying medical conditions, artificial tears offer a safe and convenient solution for temporary relief. Choosing between preservative-free or preserved drops, and selecting the appropriate viscosity, are key decisions based on your individual needs. For persistent or severe symptoms, consulting an eye doctor is always the best course of action to identify the root cause and explore other treatment options. Consistent and correct use of the right drops can significantly improve eye comfort and protect the delicate surface of your eyes.

For more information on eye health and conditions, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology's resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you must use drops specifically labeled for contact lens wearers, known as rewetting drops. For most standard lubricating drops, you should remove your contacts before application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.

Preserved drops contain chemicals to extend shelf life and are suitable for occasional use (up to 4 times daily). Preservative-free drops come in single-use vials and are recommended for frequent use or for people with sensitive eyes, as the chemicals in preserved drops can cause irritation over time.

The frequency depends on the type. Preserved drops should not be used more than 4 times a day. Preservative-free drops can generally be used as often as needed throughout the day without causing irritation.

If your symptoms persist or worsen, it's time to see an eye doctor. There might be an underlying condition like severe dry eye disease or meibomian gland dysfunction that requires a prescription medication or other treatments.

Gels and ointments are thicker and offer longer-lasting relief, making them ideal for overnight use or for severe dryness. However, they can temporarily blur your vision, so liquid drops are generally preferred for daytime use.

Yes, several medications can cause dry eye, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, diuretics, and certain blood pressure medications.

Yes, if you have dry eyes. Redness-relief drops contain decongestants that shrink blood vessels but can cause 'rebound redness' and worsen dry eye symptoms with prolonged use. They do not treat the underlying cause of dryness.