If you’ve ever grabbed a bottle of over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops for dry, irritated eyes, you’re not alone. These drops, called “artificial tears,” are one of the most common ways people try to relieve dryness, burning, or redness.
But here’s a question the Bainbridge Eye Care team quite often asks: Are OTC eye drops enough to treat dry eyes, or are they just a temporary fix?
Take a moment as Nicanor Lacsina, OD, and Yelena Pinkhasova, OD, answer this question and explain other treatments for dry eyes in the Bronx, New York.
OTC eye drops mimic natural tears. They coat your eyes with moisture and can temporarily soothe irritation. Some get marketed as “long-lasting” or “lubricating” drops.
Here’s the problem, though: While they can help in the short term, they don’t address the root cause of your dry eyes.
If your dry eyes are mild and only happen once in a while — for example, after a long day at the computer — artificial tears may give you the relief you need. But if you find yourself reaching for them daily, or your symptoms keep coming back, it’s a sign of an underlying problem.
Issues with tear production, tear quality, or even inflammation in your eyes can cause dry eyes. OTC drops can’t correct those problems.
At Bainbridge Eye Care, Dr. Lacsina and Dr. Pinkhasova go beyond the quick fix. With advanced diagnostics, we can pinpoint exactly why your eyes feel dry. From there, we can create a personalized treatment plan that may include:
OTC eye drops may lubricate your eyes, but prescription eye drops do much more. Restasis®, Xiidra®, or Cequa™ prescription eye drops can help reduce inflammation and improve tear quality.
Punctal plugs help your eyes retain natural moisture by limiting the ability for your tears to drain. If your tears can’t fully drain, your eyes can retain more moisture.
You may need punctal plugs if your eyes don’t produce enough tears on their own or if artificial tears and prescription drops aren’t providing enough relief.
A prokera corneal bandage helps heal and regenerate your cornea if chronic dryness has damaged it.
Prokera can help even if you have severe dry eye disease. Approximately 93% of people with moderate to severe dry eyes who used Prokera felt relief.
If eye allergies contribute to dry eye syndrome, you may need to address your allergies before you can find relief.
Allergy management may include avoiding your triggers, taking oral allergy medication, using prescription steroid eye drops, or allergy shots.
In addition to advanced dry eye treatments, our team can recommend evidence-based lifestyle changes to support healthy eye function. We may recommend limiting screen time or adding omega-3s to your diet to support eye health.
If OTC drops aren’t solving the problem, it’s time to take the next step. Brushing off your symptoms can lead to eye damage down the road.
Our team of specialists is here to guide you and provide the care you need to achieve the relief you deserve — not just another quick fix.
Schedule a comprehensive dry eye exam at Bainbridge Eye Care today at 718-306-9127. You can also book an appointment online to get started.
