The right dry-eye treatment for you often depends on the cause of your condition.
Over-the-Counter Options
For mild or occasional dry eye, artificial tears can help lubricate the eyes and relieve symptoms while protecting the surface of your eyes. Many are available over the counter.
Check product descriptions to find which is right for your situation. Eye drops or gels with preservatives, for example, may irritate your eyes if you have moderate to severe dry eye or use them more than a few times a day. Eye drops without preservatives are recommended for people who use drops more than four times a day.
Prescription Options
While artificial tears are often the first line of defense for dry eye, treating more severe symptoms requires a prescription medication from your ophthalmologist or optometrist. You may use these medications in tandem with over-the-counter products.
- The medication cyclosporine (Restasis, CEQUA) relieves dry eyes by stopping inflammation that interferes with tear production.
- Lifitegrast (Xiidra) is a nonsteroid drug that can reduce inflammation, Dr. Hauser says.
- Corticosteroid eye drops can reduce inflammation, but long-term use poses health risks.
- Antibiotic eye drops can also reduce eyelid inflammation, helping with the secretion of oil into your tears.
- Medications such as cevimeline (Evoxac) or pilocarpine (Salagen) stimulate tear production. They are available as pills, drops, or gels.
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose (Lacrisert) is an insert that you place between your lower eyelid and eye that dissolves into a lubricant.
- The nasal spray varenicline (Tyrvaya) also stimulates an increase in tear volume.
- Perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic (Miebo) is a drop that reduces tear evaporation on the surface of the eye.
Surgery Options
Some surgeries may plug the tear ducts in your eyelids permanently or temporarily. They allow tears to stay on your eyes longer before evaporating.
Other Treatments
Aside from eye drops, medications, and surgery, treatment options for dry eye include:
- Light therapy and eyelid massage
- Using warm compresses or eye masks to unclog oil glands
- Wearing contact lenses called scleral or bandage lenses that trap moisture
- Changing your diet, as omega-3 fatty acids in foods or supplements may reduce eye irritation, Fartash says
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