The 21 best dry eyes eye drop brands
Systane, Thera Tears and Alcon lead our ranking of 21 dry eyes eye drop brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Dry Eyes Eye Drop brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Systane
Preservative-free single-dose vials and multi-dose bottles, with Ultra and PRO PF versions for different levels of dryness.
Top products: Systane Ultra· Systane PRO PF
Website: systane.myalcon.com |Brands like Systane
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Thera Tears
Electrolyte-based drops in larger bottles, suited to regular daily use.
Top products: Thera Tears Dry Eye Therapy
Website: theratears.com |Brands like Thera Tears
Popularity 5.9/10
-
3
Alcon
Systane is an eye drop line from Alcon, a company that makes eye care products for dry eye and contact lens wearers. Alcon also sells Opti-Free contact lens solution, and its products focus on vision care and eye health.
Website: alcon.com |Brands like Alcon
Popularity 5.3/10
-
4
VISINE
Visine Tears lubricant drops use a thin formula, aimed at mild dryness and occasional irritation during screen use.
Top products: Visine Soothing Dry Eye Relief
Website: visine.com |Brands like VISINE
Popularity 4.1/10
-
5
GenTeal
Lubricant drops and thicker gels, with the gel versions suited to heavier dryness or overnight use.
Website: gentealtears.myalcon.com |Brands like GenTeal
Popularity 3.1/10
-
6
Similasan
Homeopathic drops rather than standard lubricants, so conventional dry eye formulas are not its focus.
Website: similasanusa.com |Brands like Similasan
Popularity 2.1/10
-
7
Allergan
Owner of Refresh artificial tears, with lubricants alongside its prescription eye treatments.
Popularity 1.8/10
-
8
Oasis
Single-use preservative-free vials that suit people sensitive to preservatives or who wear contact lenses.
Top products: Oasis TEARS PF· Oasis TEARS PLUS
Website: oasisclothingco.com |Brands like Oasis
Popularity 1.6/10
-
9
Optrex
UK-made moisturising drops in 10 ml bottles, a familiar option from British pharmacy shelves.
Top products: Optrex Moisturising Eye Drops
Website: optrex.co.uk |Brands like Optrex
Popularity 1.5/10
-
10
Santen
Hyalein sodium hyaluronate drops are a Santen product, with a 0.1% concentration for daily dryness.
Website: santen.com |Brands like Santen
Popularity 1.5/10
-
11
Clear Eyes
Built around redness relief using tetrahydrozoline, so it suits red eyes more than dryness.
Top products: Clear Eyes Maximum Redness Relief
Website: cleareyes.com |Brands like Clear Eyes
Popularity 0.8/10
-
12
Schwabe
The Healthcare system has come a long way since the early period. The amounts of discoveries and inventions have significantly changed the treatment of what one's considered incurable diseases or conditions. Schwabe Pharma offers you a range of natural products...
Website: schwabepharma.co.uk |Brands like Schwabe
Popularity 0.8/10
-
13
A.Vogel
The use of natural substances is increasing day by day. They are readily available, cheap, and devoid of any side effects. Now they are primarily used in many formulations for treating improper health conditions. A. Vogel is one such brand...
Website: avogel.ca |Brands like A.Vogel
Popularity 0.7/10
-
14
Bayer
Bayer grew from a dye and chemicals business in Germany and is now a multinational company in pharmaceuticals and health care. Its product range includes flea treatments for dogs, blood test products and anti-inflammatory medicines. The company describes its goal...
Website: bayer.com |Brands like Bayer
Popularity 0.6/10
-
15
LUMIFY
Brimonidine-based redness reliever rather than a lubricant, so it targets the look of red eyes, not dryness.
Website: lumifydrops.com |Brands like LUMIFY
Popularity 0.6/10
-
16
Murine
Around 1890, Otis Hall was examining a broken shoe on a horse when it swished its tail and cut the surface of Hall’s cornea. After trying many remedies, he and his son visited Drs. McFatritch used a specially prepared lotion...
Website: murine.com.au |Brands like Murine
Popularity 0.5/10
-
17
Boiron
Herbal medicines are getting popular now as they are easily available, less cost, and devoid of side effects. They are also easy to prepare, unlike allopathic medicines. Boiron company provides medicines made from natural resources to the patients. Natural medicines...
Website: boironusa.com |Brands like Boiron
Popularity 0.4/10
-
18
Hamdard
Hamdard, commonly known as Hamdard Dawakhana, is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in India. It believes in making a difference by contributing to society through healthcare. It tends to produce high-quality and amalgamated Unani medicines. It is turn out...
Website: hamdard.in |Brands like Hamdard
Popularity 0.4/10
-
19
Johnson & Johnson
Doc Johnson has celebrated over 45 years as the leading player in the adult novelty industry. Rather than spreading its wings and flying abroad, the brand has decided to grow its even roots further and stick to its Californian heritage....
Website: docjohnson.com |Brands like Johnson & Johnson
Popularity 0.4/10
-
20
Native Remedies
Native Remedies sells natural health products made from herbs, including ginseng root and powder, ashwagandha powder and essential oils. The brand says its herbal remedies are produced in GMP-certified facilities in the United States. It also offers homeopathic products for...
Website: nativeremedies.com |Brands like Native Remedies
Popularity 0.4/10
-
21
OPTI-FREE
OPTI-FREE® Contact Solution | opti-free.com Learn about OPTI-FREE®, the #1 doctor-recommended brand of contact lens solution for clean, comfortable contacts all day.
Website: opti-free.myalcon.com |Brands like OPTI-FREE
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systane | systane.myalcon.com | /systanelubricanteyedrops | – | – | – |
| Thera Tears | theratears.com | – | – | – | – |
| Alcon | alcon.com | – | – | – | – |
| VISINE | visine.com | /visine | – | @visine | VISINEOfficial |
| GenTeal | gentealtears.myalcon.com | – | – | – | – |
| Similasan | similasanusa.com | /SimilasanUSA | – | @similasanusa | SimilasanUS |
| Oasis | oasisclothingco.com | /getoasis | oasis_kitchens | – | – |
| Optrex | optrex.co.uk | – | – | – | – |
| Santen | santen.com | – | – | – | – |
Dry Eyes Eye Drops Buying Guide
Dry eyes are a common occurrence, which happens when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to discomfort and can even cause damage to the cornea in the long-term. If you suffer from dry eyes, using eye drops is an essential part of your treatment plan. But with so many different brands and types of eye drops on the market, how do you choose the right one for you?
Types of Eye Drops
There are several types of eye drops to choose from, so it’s important to understand the differences between them:
- Preserved vs. Non-Preserved: Preserved eye drops contain preservatives to prevent bacteria growth and prolong shelf life. However, some people may be sensitive to the preservatives, and prolonged use may damage the ocular surface. Non-preserved eye drops are typically recommended for people with sensitive eyes or those who need to use eye drops frequently.
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears mimic the composition of natural tears, providing lubrication and moisture to the eyes. They are often used to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate dry eye and can be used several times a day as needed.
- Gels and ointments: Gels and ointments are thicker than eye drops and typically provide longer-lasting relief. They are often used at night before bed to relieve dry eye symptoms while sleeping.
- Punctal Plugs: Silicone or collagen plugs can be inserted into the tear ducts to block the drainage of tears and keep the eyes moist. This is typically done in more severe cases of dry eye.
Choosing the Right Eye Drops
When selecting eye drops for dry eyes, there are several factors to consider:
Severity of Dry Eye
If you have mild to moderate dry eye, artificial tears are usually recommended. However, if your dry eye is severe or chronic, you may need a more aggressive treatment plan like prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or even surgery.
Preservative Sensitivity
If you are sensitive to preservatives or need to use eye drops frequently, non-preserved eye drops will be the right choice for you. However, if you would prefer a preserved formula, look for eye drops that contain a preservative that is less likely to cause irritation, such as sodium perborate or chlorhexidine.
Active Ingredients
Some eye drops are formulated with active ingredients that provide additional benefits, such as reducing inflammation or redness. Some of the most common active ingredients include:
- Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring substance in the body that provides lubrication and promotes healing.
- Polyethylene glycol: Helps to retain moisture and reduce dryness.
- Cyclosporine: Helps to reduce inflammation and increase tear production.
- Vitamin A: Helps to maintain healthy eye tissue and prevent infection.
If you have specific eye concerns, such as allergies or inflammation, look for eye drops with corresponding active ingredients. However, it’s important to note that some active ingredients may cause irritation or undesirable side effects in some people.
Viscosity
The viscosity of the eye drops will affect how long they stay on the eye and how much relief they can provide. Thinner eye drops are good for quick relief, but thicker formulas like gels and ointments provide longer-lasting protection. However, the thicker formulas can also cause blurry vision and require longer wait times before full vision returns.
Cost
Last but not least, cost is always a consideration. Artificial tears are generally the most affordable option, but prescription eye drops or other treatments can be more expensive. If you have insurance, check with your plan to see if any treatments are covered.
Popular Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
Here are some of the most popular and highly rated eye drops for dry eyes:
- Blink Tears: A non-preserved formula that provides long-lasting relief for mild to moderate dry eye. Contains sodium hyaluronate as an active ingredient.
- Systane Ultra: A popular preserved artificial tear with a thin consistency that’s easy to use. Contains polyethylene glycol as an active ingredient.
- Refresh Tears: A popular artificial tear formula that provides quick relief for dry, irritated eyes. Contains carboxymethylcellulose sodium as an active ingredient.
- Restasis: A prescription eye drop that helps increase tear production. Contains cyclosporine as an active ingredient.
- Xiidra: Another prescription eye drop that helps reduce inflammation and increase tear production. Contains lifitegrast as an active ingredient.
Tips for Using Eye Drops
Using eye drops properly is key to achieving maximum relief. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Wash your hands before using eye drops to avoid introducing bacteria into your eyes.
- Tilt your head back and look up to create a reservoir for the drops. Alternatively, you can lie down and hold the bottle above your eye.
- Avoid touching the tip of the bottle to your eye or any other surface to prevent contamination.
- Blink a few times after using the drops to distribute the solution evenly across your eye.
- Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops or medication to avoid diluting their effectiveness.
- Store eye drops according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many eye drops need to be stored at room temperature and discarded after a certain period of time.
Conclusion
Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and even debilitating, but with the right eye drops, you can alleviate your symptoms and improve your eye health. When choosing eye drops for dry eyes, consider your specific needs, the severity of your condition, and any additional benefits you may desire. By following these guidelines and using eye drops correctly, you can keep your eyes comfortable and healthy for years to come.
