Short answer: For everyday dry eyes, most people start with preservative-free lubricating drops (artificial tears) during the day and, if needed, a thicker gel or ointment at night. Prescription drops are only for after an eye examination. Don't use steroid or "redness-relief" drops on your own, and never put rose water or home remedies in your eyes. If your eyes are no better after 2 days of drops, see an eye doctor.
By Dr. Neha Chandrakar, MBBS, DNB (Ophthalmology), FAICO. Eye clinic, S-35, Second Floor, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi.
You will find many eye drops on a chemist's shelf, and it is hard to know which kind to choose. This guide does not recommend brands. Instead, it explains the types of drops, what each one is for, and when drops alone are not enough.
Why Do Eyes Get So Dry in Delhi's Winter?
Your eye is covered by a thin layer of tears called the tear film. It keeps the surface smooth and comfortable. In a Delhi winter, several things disturb it at the same time:
- Heaters and blowers dry out the air indoors.
- Smog and dust land on the eye's surface and irritate it. (Our post on red, itchy eyes in Delhi's smog explains this.)
- Cold, dry wind outdoors, especially on a two-wheeler or in an auto.
- Long hours on screens, because we blink less when we concentrate.
This can make your eyes feel dry, gritty, burning or tired. Oddly, dry eyes can also water a lot, because the eye makes extra reflex tears when its surface is irritated.
The Main Types of Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
1. Preservative-free lubricating drops (artificial tears)
These are thin drops that add moisture to the surface of the eye. They are the usual first step for mild dry eyes.
- Why preservative-free? Preservatives help keep a bottle free of germs, but if you use drops many times a day, preservatives can irritate the eye's surface over time. Preservative-free drops come in single-use vials or in special bottles designed to stay clean.
- How often? Follow the label or your eye doctor's advice. Many people use them a few times a day, and more on smoggy or heater-heavy days.
- Good for: office work, screens, indoor heating, smog days.
2. Thicker gels and ointments for night use
These are thicker than ordinary drops, so they stay on the eye longer.
- They can make your vision blurry for a while, so they are usually used at bedtime.
- They help people who wake up with dry, scratchy or sticky eyes.
- Don't drive or work on a screen straight after using an ointment.
3. Prescription drops: only after an eye examination
Some dry eye is caused by things like inflammation on the eye's surface or blocked oil glands in the eyelids. These may need prescription treatment, but only after an eye doctor has examined your eyes and found the cause. There is no single "best" drop for everyone; the right one depends on why your eyes are dry. Our dry eye treatment page explains how Dr. Neha finds the cause.
Drops You Should NOT Use on Your Own
- Steroid drops. Don't use them without a prescription, and don't use leftover or borrowed drops. Some drops can make certain infections worse or raise the pressure inside the eye.
- "Redness-relief" or "whitening" drops. These make the eye look whiter for a while but do not treat dryness, and they can cause rebound redness with regular use.
- Rose water or any home remedy. Never put rose water or home remedies in your eye. Their pH is different from that of your natural tears, so they should never go into the eye.
Tips to Get the Most From Your Drops
- Wash your hands before using drops, and don't let the bottle tip touch your eye or eyelashes.
- If you use more than one kind of drop, leave a gap of a few minutes between them.
- Note the date you open a bottle and follow the label on how long it can be used after opening.
- Contact lens users: switch to glasses on bad-air days. Ask your eye doctor which drops are safe to use with lenses.
- Every 20 minutes on a screen, look at something far away for about 20 seconds and blink fully.
- Keep heater or blower air from blowing straight onto your face, and consider a humidifier in the room.
- Wear sunglasses or wraparound glasses outdoors on smoggy or windy days.
- Drink enough water.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
See an eye doctor if:
- There is no improvement after 2 days of drops.
- You have eye pain, not just mild grittiness.
- Your vision is blurred and does not clear when you blink.
- You are sensitive to light, or have thick yellow or green discharge.
- You wear contact lenses and your eye is red and painful. This is urgent: take the lenses out and see an eye doctor the same day.
- You need drops every day, week after week. A proper check can find the cause, so you are not relying on drops alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?
There is no single best drop for everyone. For mild dry eyes, preservative-free lubricating drops (artificial tears) are the usual first choice, with a thicker gel or ointment at night if needed. If your dryness keeps coming back, an eye examination can find the cause and the right treatment.
What are the best eye drops for dry eyes in winter?
In winter, preservative-free lubricating drops during the day and a thicker gel or ointment at bedtime help many people. Also keep heater air away from your face, take screen breaks, and wear glasses outdoors on smoggy days.
Can I buy eye drops for dry eyes without a prescription in India?
Lubricating drops (artificial tears) are usually sold without a prescription. Steroid drops and other medicated drops should only be used if an eye doctor prescribes them after examining your eyes.
Are preservative-free eye drops better?
For people who use drops several times a day, preservative-free drops are usually gentler on the eye.
Can I use redness-relief drops for dry eyes?
It's best not to. They make the eye look less red for a while but do not treat dryness. See an eye doctor if redness does not settle.
Can I put rose water in my eyes for dryness?
No. Never put rose water or home remedies in your eyes. Their pH is different from that of your natural tears.
When should I see a doctor for dry eyes?
See an eye doctor if your eyes are no better after 2 days of drops, or straight away if you have pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, thick discharge, or a red, painful eye while wearing contact lenses.
Can contact lens wearers use eye drops for dry eyes?
Some lubricating drops are made to use with lenses, so ask your eye doctor which kind suits you. On bad-air days, switch to glasses.
Book a Dry Eye Check With Dr. Neha in GK-1
If drops are not helping, or you are not sure which kind to use, Dr. Neha Chandrakar can examine your eyes, find out why they are dry and suggest a plan that suits you.
Clinic: S-35, Second Floor, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi 110048 (opposite M Block Market; nearest metro: Nehru Enclave)
Call: +91 92057 35991 | WhatsApp Dr. Neha | Book a dry eye evaluation
This article is general information and is not a substitute for an eye examination.
