Best OTC Eye Drops: Specialist Recommends in 2025

Depending on the type of disease or eye problem, ophthalmologists differentiate between types of eye drops for the best therapeutic effect.

There’s an eye drop or ointment to ease the symptoms of the majority of eye issues — whether you have dry eyes, pink eye (conjunctivitis), red eyes or itchiness.

Best OTC Eye Drops: How to Choose

Identifying which type of eye drop or ointment is best depends on what sort of eye condition you have:

Dryness
Soreness
Infection (pink eye)
Allergic reactions
Itching
Pain
Swelling
Mattering (eye discharge)

Obviously, if you establish any of these eye symptoms or conditions, it’s always best to consult your optometrist to determine the cause and seriousness of the issue and the best treatment.

Over-the-Counter Eye Drops vs. Prescription Eye Drops

Eye drops and ointments can be broken down into two categories: non-prescription (OTC) eye drops and prescription (Rx) eye drops.

Over-the-counter eye drops are appropriate in many cases, and can be cheaper and more convenient.

But if symptoms intensify or continue, you ought to constantly visit your eye doctor to rule out a potentially sight-threatening eye disease or eye infection. If you’re going to bet, do not do it with your eyes!

Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Lubing eye drops, also referred to as synthetic tears, can supply relief for short-term dry eyes, when the cause is associated with temporary circumstances such as computer eye strain, being outdoors in windy and bright conditions, and exhaustion.

A lot of OTC lubing eye drops work by including numerous tear aspects that are in your eyes currently, to supplement your natural tears and make your eyes more damp and comfy.

It’s best to prevent decongestant eye drops for dry eye. You’ll recognize a decongestant eye drop due to the fact that it’s typically advertised as relief for red eyes.

Decongestants make your eyes look less red, but they also can intensify dry eye symptoms in the long run.

If your dry eye problems are more severe, you may need to use a lubricating gel or lotion. Due to the fact that gels and ointments for dry eyes can cause blurred vision for a while after you put them in your eyes, many people use them just before falling asleep.

If OTC eye drops or ointments do not get the job done, prescription eye drops and ointments and additional dry eye treatments such as punctal plugs are available from your doctor.

Recommended OTC Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

The eye drops suggested below have proven themselves well in the fight against dry eyes:

#1. Visine All Day Comfort Dry Eye Relief

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Eye drops supply short-lived relief of burning and eye inflammation due to moderate dry eye pain; the unique formula begins to alleviate dry eye in seconds

From Visine, a brand backed by 60 years of science and expertise, these eye drops contain a special wetness blend that provides as much as 10 hours of convenience
Utilize a couple of drops of lubricating eye drops in the affected eye as required for relief

#2. Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

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Prolonged protection
Fast long-lasting dry eye sign relief
Lowers both the signs and symptoms of dry eye
Rapidly relieve inflamed eyes anywhere you are

#3. TheraTears Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

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Extra dry eye relief: use theratears additional dry eye therapy lubricant eye drops to rehydrate dry eyes, protect versus additional irritation and support the natural tear ph level

Bring back eyes natural balance: theratears electrolyte formula fixes the salt imbalance that can cause dry eye symptoms
Unique solution: makes use of a one of a kind hypotonic and electrolyte balanced formula that reproduces healthy tears
Preservative totally free in the eye: theratears provides the benefits of a preservative complimentary option in a bottle thanks to our unique preserving active ingredient that becomes pure oxygen and water on eye contact

Medical professional developed: theratears is not only suggested by physicians, it was produced by an ophthalmologist after 18 years of research study

Best OTC Eye Drops for Infection, Allergy, Dry or Pink Eyes and Other Disorders

Best OTC Eye Drops for Inflammation

Decongestant eye drops, or lightening eye drops, include vasoconstrictors which remove red eyes by diminishing the small blood vessels on the white part of your eyes (sclera), making them less visible.

While decongestant eye drops are effective at getting rid of inflammation, be mindful that they can mask a potentially major underlying issue. It’s constantly best to first talk to your eye doctor to recognize the cause of your red eyes.

Decongestant eye drops can cause dryness and inflammation, dilated pupils and other negative results if they are used frequently.

Likewise, your eyes can develop a tolerance to the eye-whitening effect of these drops, and even greater inflammation (called rebound hyperemia) can occur when the result of the drops subsides, requiring you to use them a growing number of.

If your eyes are red from tiredness, dryness, absence of sleep or general irritation, I suggest you attempt an OTC oiling eye drop for relief.

If your eyes are red from allergic reactions, oiling drops also can help significantly by washing what you’re allergic to — such as pollen — from your eyes.

Recommended Eye Drops for Eyes Inflammation

The effectiveness of eye drops for inflammation of one or both eyes is known and doctors almost always prescribe them for patients.

#1. Hemp Oil Extract

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Decreases pain and stress and anxiety – dr. Hemp aids with pain decrease and has been discovered very helpful being an anti anxiety supplement and stress killer. If you are looking for a natural mct oil and for a hemp oil for pain relief, you found it!

Increases resistance, hones brain function and assists with sleep– dr. Hemp was created to increase and increase the immune system too has aide in focus and overall brain function. Routine intake offers substantial benefits in overall much better sleeping and mood improvement.
Accomplish your goals – our hemp oil extract drops will assist you recuperate quicker from the most difficult exercises, push through hardcore training, alleviate neck and back pain from long work hours and unwind by managing practically any pain. Organic hemp oil by dr. Hemp is formulated by the leading experts.
Happily made in the U.S.A. – dr. Hemp 2500mg hemp oil drops are made of premium hemp seeds grown in colorado by a gmp accredited center. Contact us for questions and guidance with product usage or any other requirements you might have.

#2. We Love Eyes – All Natural Tea Tree Eyelid Cleansing Oil

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Prone to irritated, red, watery eyes or eyelids? Created with a higher concentration of australian tea tree oil, this powerful little cleanser gently scrubs away bacteria, demodex, irritants, and greasy particles with healthy ingredients. Recommended for those looking to feel relief and improvement of the appearance of their eyes and eyelids. 100% preservative free.
Include we enjoy eyes eyelid foaming cleanser for finest results. Leave your eyes and eyelids sensation and looking tidy and enhanced by using our tea tree eyelid lathering cleanser as a last wash off. Use caution: all foaming cleansers are soaps so prevent getting in the eyes.
Pick non-toxic ingredients. We enjoy eyes is committed to sourcing components that are non-toxic, vegan, cruelty complimentary and gluten complimentary. The eyelid skin is delicate and is worthy of components that are safe, mild, and healthy. Includes no parabens, no sulfates, no formaldehyde, no phthalates, no retinol, no synthetic colors, dyes, fillers, or phony scents.

Best OTC Eye Drops for Allergy and Eye Itching

Antihistamine eye drops are particularly developed to treat itching due to allergic reactions. Allergy eye drops work by reducing histamine in the eye tissues.

Allergic reactions can cause eye symptoms such as irritation, inflammation, wateriness and puffy, swollen eyes, for which OTC antihistamine eye drops also may work.

Some decongestant eye drops for red eye also have antihistamines in them. They’re identified as treatments for itching due to allergic reaction, however I do not suggest you use a decongestant eye drop long-term (see eye drops for inflammation above).

If the itching is severe and doesn’t enhance with OTC treatments, it’s best to see an eye doctor for prescription eye drops and/or oral medications.

Recommended Eye Drops for Eye Itching and Allergy

There are several tens of millions of people in the world who are more or less susceptible to allergies. Usually, the eyes are one of the first to “give out” that a person has an Allergy. The following eye drops successfully solve the problem of itchy eyes and an allergic reaction:

#1. Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops

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Fast-acting, long-lasting eye itch relief
The first non-prescription eye drops that temporarily eases itchy eyes for up to 12 hours with just one drop.

Initial prescription-strength formula doesn’t use a vasoconstrictor
Doesn’t utilize a vasoconstrictor
Safe and reliable for kids aged 3 years and older.

#2. Alcon Pataday Once Daily Relief

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Eye allergy itch relief: works as an antihistamine to ease itchy eyes in minutes
Provides quick sign relief: hinders allergies by restricting the release of chemicals that trigger inflammation

Easy to utilize: one drop, use once daily
Throughout the day relief: relief approximately 16 hours

Best OTC Eye Drops for Soreness, Swelling or Discharge

Prior to you think about using eye drops for soreness, it’s vital to figure out the underlying cause.

Usually eyes end up being sore since they’re dry, stretched, tired or simply plain excessive used. However if your eyes ache a lot, you must have an eye exam to see if your vision requires fixing for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia.

Lubricating eye drops might supply relief for eye irritation from visual tensions such as weeping, eye discharge related to allergies and swelling from swelling and allergies.

However, “mattering” or thick, yellow-colored eye discharge brought on by an eye infection may require prescription antibiotic eye drops.

Recommended OTC Eye Drops for Soreness, Swelling or Discharge

Ordinary eye drops to remove swelling and just anti-allergenic drops will help those who are faced with the problem described above. Here are some of them:

Best Eye Drops for “Pink Eye” and Other Infections

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is one of the most common types of eye infection. The term “pink eye” is a catch-all for numerous different types of conjunctivitis.

Various types of eye drops may be required for the different types of conjunctivitis, so it’s important to visit your eye doctor to identify the correct treatment:

Bacterial conjunctivitis normally makes your eyes truly red and sore, with a thick, yellow, sticky discharge. Bacterial eye infections must be treated with prescription eye drops from your doctor.
Viral conjunctivitis is contagious. Some viral types of pink eye disappear by themselves, but the severe kind will cause red, watery, sore eyes, in addition to a clear or whitish eye discharge. You might likewise have blurred vision.

If you have viral conjunctivitis, OTC lubricating eye drops can make your eyes feel much better, as can cold compresses or ice packs. But if symptoms grow worse, you should see your eye doctor for additional treatment.

Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common cause of eye inflammation and typically causes itching, swollen eyelids and watery, bloodshot eyes. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.

Non-prescription lubricating and antihistamine eye drops can provide relief for the most parts. Taking OTC antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin or Benadryl likewise can assist.

If symptoms are severe, your optometrist may need to recommend more powerful eye drops or oral medications.
If you’re utilizing an eye drop to alleviate symptoms of eye infection, never ever touch the end of the bottle to your eye. You might pollute the bottle, which could spread infection.

Recommended OTC Eye Drops for Pink eye (Conjunctivitis)

For sure, each of you has more than half of your friends who have ever encountered pink eye. This is a rather unpleasant eye disease, which, fortunately, is successfully treated. Correctly selected OTC eye drops help speed up the treatment process.

#1. Goodbye Pink Eye

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Clears pink eye quickly!
Farewell pink eye usage natural active components like eye brilliant, not harsh chemicals, to promote your body’s defenses instead of masking symptoms from pink eye, like redness, burning, stinging, grittiness or watery discharge.
Appropriate for adults and kids ages 2 and over
Deal with unpleasant pink eye symptoms with the 100% natural relief of essential oils omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids.
This proprietary blend is a natural and homeopathic treatment for the momentary relief of conjunctivitis symptoms without making use of steroids or antibiotics.

Safe and mild to use
For bacterial, viral and allergic pink eye relief, use this relaxing serum to the irritated eye by carefully rubbing with a cotton ball or clean finger.

#2. Similasan Pink Eye Relief

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Similasan Pink Eye Relief provides 100% natural, homeopathic relief. Use these sterilized eye drops to deal with inflammation, burning, dryness, grittiness, stinging and watery discharge.

Best Eye Drops and Contact Lenses

Rewetting drops are particularly formulated for contact lenses and can provide relief for dry eyes and discomfort associated with contact lens wear.

If you decide to use regular OTC lubing eye drops while wearing contacts, talk to your eye care professional to see if your contact lens type works with the eye drop you’re thinking about.

Unlike rewetting drops, lots of eye drops — OTC or prescription — are not meant for contact lens users, and you might need to eliminate your lenses prior to applying the drops to your eyes.

Recommended Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops

The need to use eye drops when wearing contact lenses is known even to those who do not use them. We consider the following drops to be the best and offer you to buy them:

#1. Amo Blink Contacts Lubricating

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Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops moisturizes dry contact lenses by dealing with the eye’s natural tears to help keep them feeling fresh and provides silky-smooth comfort for contact lens wearers.

It also ends up being preservative-free in the eye; the preservative breaks down into natural tear parts (water and sodium chloride) when exposed to light.

#2. Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops

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Throughout the day, particles in the air can get on your lenses and trigger them to feel dry and annoying. Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops help eliminate those particles, to keep them comfy for longer.

You can use Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops four or more times a day to prevent protein deposit build-up on your soft lenses. That indicates more convenience and less inflammation.

The majority of times, your lenses feel dry due to the fact that they do not have wetness. Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops are an effective and practical method of including that moisture back to your lenses.

When your lenses feel dry, you can’t constantly discover the time to remove them from your eyes and provide a good, moisturizing tidy. That’s why Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops are so practical. You can use them to eliminate particles and include wetness to your lenses while your lenses are on your eyes.

#3. Refresh Contacts

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Every drop produces a liquid cushion that comforts and secures for long-lasting relief
Refresh Contacts is available in a hassle-free multi-dose bottle is safe to utilize as typically as needed so your eyes can feel good- anytime, anywhere
Make your dry eyes feel better with drops physicians advise.

Question and Answers Regarding OTC Eye Drops

How do I practice good hygiene when putting in eye drops?

Just like a lot of things related to your eyes (like putting in contacts), thoroughly wash your hands first, and continuously prevent touching your eye straight. As soon as your hands are tidy, carefully take down your bottom cover and make a well, then launch the drop, so it lands in there – keeping the dropper far enough away, so it doesn’t, in fact, reach your eye. It will make a small pool of liquid.

Then, plug the inside corner of your eye (near the nose), so the drops can drain down your septum. Put a bit of pressure on the nasal side of your eyes, close your eyes, and tilt your head towards the ground. This enables the drop to linger on the cornea, which is the only area that absorbs the drop. Putting your eye drops in like this method will maximize their advantage, and keep you from getting an eye infection due to bad health.

How many drops do I require in each eye?

Just one per eye! One drop is all that’s required to work. If you’re recommended four drops, consult your doctor, but this probably ways you need to put one drop in each eye four times per day. Adhering to only one drop in each eye will assist your prescription last longer and save you some cash, while still doing its job.

Can I do all my eye drops simultaneously, or do I need to area them out?

Let’s state you have multiple eye drops you’ve been provided by your medical professional. Avoid putting them in your eye straight after one another. You do not need to wait too long, however, offer yourself a minimum of 5 minutes or so in between types of eye drops. This permits each type to be absorbed by your cornea before you add the next.

Do I require to shake my eye drops?

This depends on what type of eye drops you’re using. Some medicated drops and post-surgery drops do require shaking, while others don’t. It will never harm to shake your eye drops, so it’s a good general rule to give every bottle a little shake before using them to be on the safe side.

Can I utilize eye drops when I have contacts in?

Some eye drops are safe to use when you have contacts in; however, they’re the exception, not the rule. Unless your drops explicitly state that they’re okay to utilize with contacts, eliminate your contacts before putting your eye drops in. Then, give your eyes a few minutes to absorb the drops before putting your contacts back in.

Should I buy preservative-free drops, if I have the option?

Yes! Preservative-free eye drops are normally best for your eyes, particularly if you’re using the drops multiple times a day. Synthetic tears, saline and over the counter drops are frequently offered in a preservative-free formula, so we recommend picking this when possible.

What if I taste my eye drops?

While it may sound odd, some individuals do taste their eye drops. If you’re putting them inappropriately, the drops should drain down your septum. Because of this, some patients will in fact experience a metal taste after putting in drops (this is very typical with steroid drops), and wonder if it’s okay. The response is yes. This is normal and is no cause for concern whatsoever.