{"id":2362,"date":"2026-06-10T20:13:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=2362"},"modified":"2026-06-10T20:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:13:02","slug":"eye-care-experts-and-editors-agree-these-are-the-best-eye-drops-for-dry-itchy-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=2362","title":{"rendered":"Eye care experts and editors agree. These are the best eye drops for dry, itchy eyes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Our featured picks<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\niVizia Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nBausch + Lomb Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nSystane Nighttime Lubricant Eye Ointment\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nBausch + Lomb Soothe XP Eye Drops, 2-Pack\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\n If you\u2019re one of the millions of Americans currently living with dry eyes, there\u2019s a good chance you already use, or have at least considered using, eye drops for fast symptom relief. \u201cDry eye disease is way more common than most people realize,\u201d Dr. Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Line of Sight, said. \u201cWhen your eyes aren\u2019t producing enough tears or the tears you do make evaporate too fast, it creates this cycle of irritation and inflammation that can affect your quality of life.\u201d\n <\/p>

Read more Vance suggested Tucker Carlson interview Ghislaine Maxwell amid Epstein fallout, new book reveals<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Several factors contribute to dry eyes, but common causes include aging, excess screen time, hormonal changes and contact lens wear, according to optometrist Dr. Meenal Agarwal. While it\u2019s best to visit a medical professional to determine the root cause of your dry eyes, the experts I spoke with agree that eye drops (also called artificial tears) are a solid temporary solution, providing quick relief from irritation. \u201cArtificial tears work by filling in the gaps of your natural tear film, similar to how lotion hydrates your skin,\u201d Tsai said. \u201cDepending on the formula, they can restore moisture, slow down evaporation and reduce the gritty sensation.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n To help you find the best eye drops for dry eyes, I consulted eye care experts for their professional insights and recommendations. I also asked CNN Underscored staffers who use contacts or experience allergy-related dryness to share a few of their favorite solutions.\n <\/p>\n

\n Best eye drops\n<\/h2>\n
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\n\nRefresh Optive Mega-3 Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Both Tsai and Dr. Alexander Martin, an optometrist and chief medical officer at Eyebot, recommend Refresh’s Optive Mega-3 eye drops. Designed to deliver fast relief, they help lubricate dry, irritated eyes while preventing further evaporation. According to Martin, these artificial tears are especially useful for relieving dry eyes caused by meibomian gland dysfunction because the flaxseed oil in the formula supports the tear film’s outer oil layer. Since these eye drops are preservative-free and formulated without potentially irritating chemicals, they\u2019re ideal for individuals who frequently use eye drops or have very sensitive eyes. <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n$22<\/s>\n From $18 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n$22<\/s>\n $18 at Walmart\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $21 at CVS\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Editor Favorite<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nBausch + Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops, 2-Pack\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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If you have seasonal allergies, these eye drops from Bausch + Lomb may be a suitable option. The combination of antihistamines and naphazoline offers much-needed relief from allergy-related itchiness and dryness. \u201cWhen my allergies get really bad, I wake up in the middle of the night scratching at my eyes,\u201d CNN Underscored health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright said. \u201cThese allergy-relief drops get rid of that itch and provide lubrication to my dry eyes that keeps them calm for long periods of time.\u201d <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $11 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $11 at Walmart\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $18 at CVS\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nSystane Nighttime Lubricant Eye Ointment\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cIf you’re waking up with morning dryness, a thicker ointment formula provides deeper lubrication overnight and makes a real difference in how your eyes feel first thing in the morning,\u201d Tsai said. She recommends Systane\u2019s treatment, which uses mineral oil and petrolatum to lubricate severely dry eyes for nighttime relief. Unlike most options on the market, this product doesn\u2019t come in the form of traditional eye drops. The brand advises applying one-fourth of an inch of ointment to the inside of your eyelids.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $14 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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\nRelated article<\/span>\n30 overnight beauty products that will have you glowing from head to toe by the morning<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\nBausch + Lomb Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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These Bausch + Lomb eye drops are formulated with hyaluronan, electrolytes and antioxidants to mirror your natural tear film, Tsai said. They\u2019re preservative-free, which reduces the risk of further irritation, and safe for contact lens wearers to use, she added. Though many preservative-free eye drops come in single-use sachets, these moisture-boosting drops come in a multidose bottle specially designed to deliver controlled, measured drops while keeping potential contaminants out.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n$13<\/s>\n From $12 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\n $17 at Walgreens\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nOptase Allegro Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Tsai said the inclusion of ectoine, an anti-inflammatory ingredient found in some skin care and eye care products, sets these drops apart from others. \u201cIt relieves dry-eye symptoms while also protecting against environmental irritants like pollen and allergens,\u201d she said. It combines with the active ingredient in this product, hydroxyethyl cellulose (a lubricant and viscosity-enhancing substance), to minimize dryness and irritation by supporting your natural tear production and creating a protective barrier. <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $20 at Optase\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $20 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nBausch + Lomb Soothe XP Eye Drops, 2-Pack\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI’ve dealt with many cases of corneal abrasions over the past 10-plus years, and these moisturizing eye drops were recommended to me by my ophthalmologist for daytime use whenever my eyes feel dry or painful,\u201d CNN Underscored home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel said. \u201cNow that I’ve mostly got my cornea issues under control, I still use these when I wake up with especially dry eyes.\u201d While some artificial tears only lubricate dry eyes, these restore the eye\u2019s outer lipid layer, so it locks in moisture better.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $22 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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\nRelated article<\/span>\nThe best online prescription glasses in 2026, tested by editors<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\nRefresh Contacts Contact Lens Comfort Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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If you wear contact lenses like Cartwright, these drops offer relief from mild cases of dryness and irritation. \u201cThese are great at refreshing my dry contacts at the end of the day,\u201d she said. \u201cThey don’t blur my contacts like other drops I\u2019ve tried, and they rehydrate them well without leaving my eyes goopy.\u201d Since these drops can be applied with your lenses in, you don\u2019t have to worry about taking your contacts out before use. If you plan on applying the treatment directly to your contacts before popping them in, the brand recommends adding one to two drops to both sides.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n$10<\/s>\n $7 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\niVizia Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\"iVizia<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
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These preservative-free iVizia eye drops feature a combination of hyaluronic acid and plant-based sugar trehalose, which Martin said hydrates and protects the front part of the eye from irritants. \u201cThe multi-dose bottle uses a sterile delivery system, making it more convenient (and less wasteful) than traditional vials,\u201d he said. They offer up to eight hours of relief, are contact lens-friendly and can be used for up to three months after opening. <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $9 at Walmart\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\n $15 at Target\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\nOptase Hylo Relief Eye Drops\n<\/span>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Martin recommends the Optase Hylo Relief eye drops for those with mild to moderate dryness. \u201cThe active lubricant is glycerin, but the standout ingredient is high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), which binds water and forms a stable, long-lasting layer over the ocular surface,\u201d Martin said. The generous 10-milliliter bottle dispenses 300 drops, so you can combat eye irritation without having to restock constantly. <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\n $25 at Amazon\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $25 at Walmart\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n $25 at Optase\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n How to choose the best eye drops for dry eyes\n<\/h2>\n

\n When it comes to selecting the best eye drops for dry eyes, the experts I spoke to recommend keeping ingredients, viscosity and your needs in mind. Ultimately, you should consult a medical professional to figure out the best course of action.\n <\/p>\n

\n Decide between preservative-free and preservative eye drops\n<\/h3>\n

\n Preservative-free eye drops are a must for contact lens wearers because contacts aren\u2019t compatible with benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a common preservative used in eye drops, Tsai said. According to Dr. Karen Allison, an ophthalmologist and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Flaum Eye Institute, preservative-free drops may be more costly than preservative tears, but they \u201creduce the likelihood of allergic reactions or infections since they are single-use.\u201d\n <\/p>

Read more Three of four Republicans who forced the release of the Epstein files are now out of jobs<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Consider whether you need lipid-based eye drops or water-based ones\n<\/h3>\n

\n Dry eyes caused by a lack of tears should be approached differently than dry eyes caused by rapid evaporation. \u201cIf your tears are evaporative, look for lipid-based drops,\u201d Tsai said. \u201cIf your tear production is low, look for water-based drops with glycerin.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n The Refresh Optive Mega-3 eye drops recommended in this story are lipid-based and the Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Hydration Boost eye drops are water-based.\n <\/p>\n

\n Consider the viscosity\n<\/h3>\n

\n Thicker eye drops may lead to longer-lasting relief, but they can temporarily blur your vision due to the viscosity, according to Tsai. If you prefer a non-blurring application, consider thinner formulations.\n <\/p>\n

\n Avoid drops focused only on redness relief\n<\/h3>\n

\n Despite their popularity, some redness relief eye drops can do more harm than good, which is why Tsai and Agarwal agree they should be avoided. \u201cRedness-reducing drops are not designed for dry eye, and can actually worsen irritation over time by causing rebound redness.\u201d Agarwal said.\n <\/p>\n

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