Eye health resources

What to know about lubricating eye drops

Explore how lubricating drops can help relieve eye dryness, plus key things to consider if you wear contact lenses.

Medically reviewed on September 23, 2025

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Published on February 10, 2026

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6 minute read

The soothing powers of lubricating eye drops

If you've experienced the symptoms of dry eye (and face it, that’s most of us) you know how uncomfortable it can be. The symptoms —like a grittiness, irritation, and/or redness—kick in when your eyes aren’t producing enough tears or when the tears they are producing evaporate too quickly. Occasional dryness is common, but persistent or chronic symptoms can make aspects of life uncomfortable.

Lubricating eye drops, also called artificial tears, are a common solution for dry eye symptoms that are quick, easy, and portable. They’re designed to help keep your eyes moist and comfortable. They work by supplementing your natural tears to support your tear film in protecting the surface of your eyes.

Types of lubricating eye drops

When you wander the aisles at the drug store, you'll find a lot of options for eye drops. It can be dizzying to try to sort through them all, but it becomes easier when you know what you’re looking for. Below, you’ll learn some of the most common eye drop verbiage you’ll find on packaging, as well as things to stay away from. Keep in mind, many of these can be found on the same eye drop package—for instance, you can find single-dose preservative-free artificial tears made for contact lenses.

Artificial tears

Artificial tears typically contain a lubricant or two that mimic natural layers of your tear film. These help maintain hydration of your eyes. When you’re shopping for artificial tears, the labels you see may say:

Relieves dry eye symptoms
Relieves irritation
Lubricated or lubricant

It’s important to note that not all artificial tears are safe to use with contacts. If you wear contacts, look for the wording on the label “For use with contact lenses” or “Safe for use with contact lenses”. There’s a huge variety of ingredients in artificial tears, so if you aren’t sure, it’s best to ask your eye doctor for recommendations that will meet the needs of your eyes.

Re-wetting drops made for contact lenses

Many contact lens wearers experience dryness symptoms one time or another. Because a contact lens sits within the tear film, it can disrupt that natural function of your tears. Contact lens technology has come a long way to address this, but people sometimes still need relief, and that’s where rewetting eye drops come in. Rewetting drops are formulated to improve the comfort of the lens on the eye, and their packaging typically indicates this with labels like “for contacts” or “contact lens relief.”

Preservative-free drops

Some eye drops contain preservatives to help prevent bacteria growth and give them a longer shelf life. People who use eye drops frequently throughout the day and over extended periods may need to opt for preservative-free drops, because preservatives may irritate the eyes. Preservative-free options are often gentler and better for frequent use or those with chronic dry eye.

Single vs. multi-dose drops

You may notice that some eye drops at the drug store come in small bottles, while others come in small twist-off vials. Typically, preservative-free drops come in single-use twist-off containers, and eye drops with preservatives come in larger containers.

Gel drops

Thicker than liquid lubricating drops, gel drops are often used at night while you’re sleeping to help keep your eyes moist overnight. They stay longer on the eye, but tend to make your vision blurrier.

Ointments

The thickest lubricating eye lubrication option, these create a protective layer over the eye and are put onto your eye from a tube rather than a bottle. This is often used by people who experience serious discomfort when sleeping or have other blink-related eye closure issues.

What to know about using eye drops with contacts

Contact lens wearers experience eye dryness from time to time because the lenses can disrupt the natural tear film, leading to dryness and irritation. The right lubricating eye drops can help keep your eyes comfortable and reduce occasional irritation caused by your lenses. Not all eye drops are safe to use with your contacts, though. It’s important to choose eye drops recommended by your eye doctor.

Choose contact lens-compatible drops

Always check the label for drops specifically designed for contact lens wearers. These are formulated to prevent residue buildup on the lens.

Consider preservative-free options

Since contact lenses can absorb and hold preservatives in the eye, you may experience eye irritation if you use eye drops with preservatives a lot. Preservative-free drops may be a better option if you need rewetting drops frequently.

Avoid gel or ointments

Unless specifically prescribed by your eye doctor, thick gel drops or ointments should be avoided while wearing contact lenses as they may adhere to the lens surface and blur vision.

For medicated drops, take out your contacts first

Contact lenses can act like a sponge and absorb liquid placed in the eye. For this reason, drops with medicine (like those in 'red eye relief' or 'allergy relief' eye drops) may provide a different dose than intended if used with contact lenses in place. If you've been prescribed medicated drops, always take out your lenses before applying them and then wait at least 10-15 minutes before putting them back on.

Not sure which eye drops to use?

There’s a sea of eye drops to choose from out there. Luckily, you're not alone in deciding which to buy—your eye doctor is there to help you sort it out. So don't hesitate to reach out and ask them, they have your full history and can help guide you.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How can lubricating eye drops help with dry eye?

Lubricating eye drops help relieve the symptoms of dryness, irritation, and redness by providing moisture to the eye. They act as artificial tears to help supplement moisture to the surface of the eye.

Are there any side effects of using lubricating eye drops?

Most lubricating eye drops are safe when used as directed, but some people may experience mild irritation, temporary blurry vision, or a stinging sensation. If the symptoms persist, discontinue use and consult your eye doctor.

Can I use regular eye drops with contact lenses?

No, not all eye drops are safe for use with contact lenses. Look for drops specifically labeled as "safe for contact lenses" to avoid any residue buildup on your lenses or ingredients that may cause irritation if absorbed into your lenses.

What are the best lubricating drops for contact lens wearers?

The best person to answer this is your eye doctor, since the contact lenses that are prescribed to you may work better with specific eye drops.

Should I stop wearing contact lenses if I have dry eye?

Clinically diagnosed dry eye disease can be made worse by contact lens wear, so your eye care professional may advise pausing use temporarily while symptoms are managed, or discontinuing it altogether if the condition is severe; however, some dry eye patients can be stabilized with treatment to the point of being able to continue wearing lenses.