What Kind of Eye Drops Do I Need?

When your eyes feel dry, red, itchy, or tired, all the options in the eye drop aisle at the drugstore can be overwhelming. Do you need artificial tears? Allergy drops? Something stronger?

At Cooper Optometry in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Donna Cooper, Dr. Sarah Chung, and our team are here to help you sort through the confusion to find the right drops for your needs.

Dry, irritated eyes `

If your eyes feel scratchy, gritty, or tired, especially after hours on the computer, lubricating drops, often called artificial tears, may be your best choice. These help replenish the thin layer of liquid over the surface of your eyes (called tear film) and keep your eyes comfortable.

Some general guidelines:

If you need drops multiple times a day, preservative-free options are usually gentler
For occasional use, regular lubricating drops are fine

At Cooper Optometry, we don’t just hand you a brand name; we take the time during your comprehensive eye exam to identify the root cause of dryness. Sometimes lifestyle changes or dry eye therapy can provide longer-lasting relief than drops alone.

Redness and allergies

Itchy, watery, and red eyes are typically due to allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamine drops can calm these symptoms, especially during pollen season or if you’re around pets.

If you wear contact lenses, Dr. Cooper or Dr. Chung may steer you toward lens-safe allergy drops, since some can damage or cloud lenses. And if over-the-counter options aren’t enough, we may recommend prescription-strength eye drops or additional treatments at our office.

For simple redness relief, avoid “get the red out” drops that only shrink blood vessels temporarily. They may make redness worse over time. Instead, let us help you find something that addresses the underlying problem.

When you need prescription drops

Sometimes, your eyes need more than what you can buy at the store. We prescribe specialized drops for conditions such as:

Chronic dry eye that doesn’t improve with lubricants
Eye inflammation requiring medicated treatment
Infections needing antibiotic drops

Through our dry eye therapy services, we often combine prescription eye drops with in-office treatments to give you lasting comfort.

When to call us

It’s hard to know if dry, red eyes are cause for concern, but you should schedule a visit right away if you notice these warning signs:

Sudden changes in vision
Significant eye pain or light sensitivity
Yellow or green discharge
Redness lasting more than a few days

Dr. Cooper and Dr. Chung are experienced in diagnosing eye emergencies and more complex conditions, ensuring you don’t rely on the wrong drops while a bigger issue goes untreated.

Don’t guess which drops you need. We’re here to help with personalized guidance to protect and strengthen your eye health. Call today for an appointment or request one online.