Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Nonprescription Options are often first-line for mild to moderate cases or as adjuncts in more advanced disease.

OTC options provide symptomatic relief by supplementing the tear film; some also stabilize tear film layers or reduce hyperosmolarity.

Types | Key distinctions:

• Lubricating eye drops (“artificial tears”): These mimic or supplement natural tears and help with moisture and comfort.

• Preservative vs. preservative-free: Drops with preservatives can be cheaper and in multiuse bottles; but frequent use (more than 4x day) can cause irritation, so many who use drops often prefer preservative-free-single-use vials. Preservative-free drops are normally recommended for contact lens wearers.

• Gels | ointments: Thicker formulations that stay longer, particularly useful at night; vision may be blurry briefly.

• Lipid | “tear supplement” | oil-enhanced drops: Designed to help with the “oil layer” of the tear film, useful for those with evaporative dry eye (e.g., Meibomian gland dysfunction)

When OTC options are insufficient or when there is underlying inflammation or damage,