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Artificial tears: How to select eye drops for dry eyes

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 18, 2023.

Artificial tears are eye drops used to lubricate dry eyes and help keep moisture on the outer surface of your eyes. Dry eyes can result from:

Artificial tears are available without a prescription. No single brand works best for every form of dry eyes. You may need to try several different brands before you find one that works best for you.

Besides lubricating your eyes, some artificial tears also promote healing of the eyes. Others work to decrease tear evaporation. Artificial tears also may contain thickening agents. This helps keep the solution on the surface of your eyes longer.

There are two categories of artificial tears:

Artificial tears are also available as nonprescription gels and gel inserts. These may cause temporary blurred vision.

If you still don't have relief after trying different products, the next step might be to try one or more artificial tear ointments. These can temporarily cause blurred vision, so you might prefer to apply the ointment just before bedtime.

If you haven't experienced some relief with these efforts, make an appointment with an eye doctor, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, who can suggest other treatments.

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