How to Choose the Right Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Reviewed by Thomas Do, Optometrist. Last reviewed 6 August 2026. This article is general information about lubricating eye products and is not a substitute for a personal eye examination or medical advice.

Walk into any pharmacy and the eye-care shelf can be overwhelming: dozens of bottles, vials and gels, all promising relief for dry, gritty or tired eyes. The good news is that most lubricating eye products fall into a handful of simple groups. Once you understand those groups, choosing becomes much easier — and you can match a product to how your eyes actually feel rather than to the biggest label on the box.

This guide explains how over-the-counter lubricating eye drops differ, so you can make a more confident choice. It does not diagnose why your eyes are dry, and it is not a ranked list of "winners" — the right drop is the one that suits your eyes, your routine and any contact lenses you wear.

Why there are so many different dry eye products

A healthy tear film is made of layers — an oily (lipid) layer that slows evaporation, a watery layer that hydrates, and a mucin layer that helps tears spread evenly. Dry, uncomfortable eyes generally happen for one of two broad reasons: the eyes don't make enough tears, or the tears they make evaporate too quickly. In practice, many people have a bit of both, and the balance can change with your environment, screen use, medications, hormones and age.

Different products are formulated to support different parts of that tear film. That's why there is no single "best" eye drop for everyone — a watery, hydrating drop that suits one person may do little for another whose main issue is rapid evaporation. Working out which type to try is the useful first step, and if you'd like a shortlist, the City Optics dry eye product finder asks five quick questions and suggests a product category to start with.

Hydrating (aqueous) versus lipid-based eye drops

Hydrating drops are water-based and add moisture to the surface of the eye. Common lubricating ingredients you'll see on Australian labels include sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), carmellose (carmellose sodium) and polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol. These are a sensible starting point for general dryness and are often the first thing people try.

Lipid-based or oil-containing drops are designed to reinforce the oily outer layer of the tear film and slow evaporation. They're often chosen when eyes feel dry in air-conditioning, wind or after long screen sessions. Some are oil-in-water emulsions; others are water-free formulations that spread a thin lubricating layer across the eye. Manufacturers usually state on the pack whether a product is intended to support the lipid layer.

Neither category is "better" in the abstract — they target different problems. If a hydrating drop isn't giving you lasting comfort, a lipid-supporting formula is a reasonable next thing to discuss with an optometrist.

Preserved versus preservative-free

Many multi-dose bottles contain a preservative to keep the liquid sterile once opened. For occasional use, preservatives are generally well tolerated. With frequent use — several times a day, every day — some preservatives can irritate an already sensitive eye surface, which is why preservative-free drops are often recommended for people who dose often or have easily irritated eyes.

Preservative-free products usually come as single-use vials or in specially designed multi-dose bottles that keep the contents sterile without a standard preservative. One important caveat: preservative-free does not automatically mean the drop is safe to use while contact lenses are in your eyes. Those are two separate things — always check the label.

Eye drops versus gels and ointments

Thicker formulations last longer but can temporarily blur your vision:

• Drops are thin, act quickly and don't blur vision much — ideal for daytime and topping up as needed.
• Gels and gel-drops are thicker and stay on the eye longer, so they suit people who want fewer applications or more sustained comfort.
• Ointments are the thickest and longest-lasting. Because they blur vision, they're generally used at bedtime to protect the eyes overnight, which can help if your eyes feel worst first thing in the morning.

A common everyday pattern is a lighter drop during the day and a thicker gel or ointment overnight — but use each product as directed on its label.

Using lubricating products with contact lenses

Not every eye drop is made to go in while you're wearing contact lenses. Some artificial tears are intended for use without lenses, or ask you to wait before reinserting. Rewetting drops are specifically formulated for contact lens wear. The only reliable way to know is to check the packaging: use a product with your lenses only if the manufacturer states it is suitable to use with contact lenses in place. If your lenses regularly feel dry, an optometrist can also review the lens material, your wearing schedule and your fit.

Where eyelid care fits in

Sometimes dryness is linked to the eyelids and the glands along the lid margin, rather than to a shortage of tears. In those cases, everyday lid hygiene — a warm compress and gentle eyelid cleansing — is often used alongside drops as part of a daily routine. Products range from foam cleansers and lid wipes to reusable warm-compress masks. Think of these as everyday eyelid care rather than a treatment, and use them as directed. If you're not sure whether lid care is relevant for you, it's worth raising at an eye examination.

How often can you use lubricating eye drops?

Follow the directions on the specific product. As a general rule, preserved drops used more than around four to six times a day, long-term, are where many people switch to a preservative-free option. Preservative-free drops can usually be used more frequently, but the pack will tell you. If you find you need drops very often just to stay comfortable, that's a good reason to book an assessment rather than simply buying a stronger-sounding product.

When self-selection isn't enough — see an optometrist

Lubricating products support comfort; they don't treat the underlying cause of dry eye disease. Book an eye examination (and don't rely on choosing a drop yourself) if you have any of the following:

• Eye pain, marked light sensitivity, or any change in your vision
• Redness with discharge, or a red, painful eye — especially if you wear contact lenses
• Symptoms that are persistent, worsening, or not improving despite regular lubricants
• Dryness in one eye only, or after an injury, surgery or a new medication

These can need proper assessment, and some are urgent. An optometrist can examine your tear film and eyelids, look for a cause, and tailor a plan — which may still include the products above, chosen for your eyes.

How to use the City Optics dry eye finder

If you're still not sure where to begin, our dry eye product finder can point you to a sensible starting category. It asks five quick questions — about your main symptom, how often your eyes feel dry, your screens and environment, whether you wear contact lenses, and whether you're after daytime or overnight comfort — then suggests a product category and a few matching products to consider.

Treat it as a shopping shortcut to narrow the choice, not a diagnosis: it won't identify the cause or type of your dry eye, and it doesn't replace an eye examination. Use its suggestion as a starting point, check the label for contact-lens suitability, and adjust with guidance from our team. Try the dry eye finder or browse the full dry eye range.

Putting it together

1. Start by matching a product type to how your eyes feel — hydrating for general dryness, lipid-supporting for evaporation, preservative-free for frequent dosing, gels or ointments for longer-lasting or overnight comfort, and lid care where the eyelids are involved.
2. If you wear contacts, choose a product the manufacturer confirms is suitable with lenses in place.
3. Give a product a fair trial, used as directed, before deciding whether it helps.
4. If you're stuck, try the dry eye product finder for a starting shortlist, or shop the full dry eye range.

Book a dry eye assessment

Lubricating products can make day-to-day life more comfortable, but they don't treat what's causing your dry eye. If your symptoms are persistent, worsening or affecting your vision — or you'd simply like help choosing — an eye examination is the right next step. Our optometrists can examine your tear film and eyelids, look for a cause, and tailor a plan for your eyes.

Book a dry eye assessment at your nearest City Optics. Prefer to start online? Use the dry eye finder or shop the dry eye range.

References

• Healthdirect Australia. Dry eyes.
• Findlay Q, Reid K. Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer. Australian Prescriber.
• Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society. TFOS DEWS II Report.