Prescription Dry Eye Drops: What Works, What to Watch For

When your eyes feel gritty, burning, or like they’re full of sand—even after using artificial tears—you might need prescription dry eye drops, medicated eye solutions approved by the FDA for chronic dry eye that don’t respond to OTC options. Also known as therapeutic ocular drops, these aren’t just stronger versions of store-bought lubricants. They target inflammation, boost tear production, or repair the eye’s surface in ways OTC drops simply can’t.

Most prescription dry eye drops, medicated eye solutions approved by the FDA for chronic dry eye that don’t respond to OTC options. Also known as therapeutic ocular drops, these aren’t just stronger versions of store-bought lubricants. They target inflammation, boost tear production, or repair the eye’s surface in ways OTC drops simply can’t.

There are three main types you’ll likely encounter. First, cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant that reduces inflammation on the eye’s surface to help restore natural tear production—sold as Restasis or generic versions. It takes weeks to work, and many users feel stinging at first. Then there’s lifitegrast, a newer anti-inflammatory that blocks a specific immune signal causing dryness, sold as Xiidra. It works faster but can cause taste changes and eye irritation. And for severe cases, autologous serum eye drops, custom-made drops using your own blood plasma to mimic natural tears, are used in clinics when nothing else helps. These aren’t sold in pharmacies—they’re made on-site.

Side effects are common but often misunderstood. Stinging? Normal for the first week. Blurry vision after application? Expected—wait 5 minutes before driving. But if your eyes get red, swollen, or you develop a rash around your eyelids, stop using them and call your doctor. Some drops contain preservatives that can make dryness worse over time. That’s why newer formulations are preservative-free. And if you’re using multiple eye drops, timing matters: wait at least 5 minutes between each one. Otherwise, the second drop just washes the first out.

Prescription dry eye drops aren’t a cure, but they’re often the only thing that stops the cycle of damage. Many people stop using them too soon because they don’t feel instant relief. But dry eye is a chronic condition—like high blood pressure. You don’t stop taking your pill just because your headache’s gone. The same logic applies here. If your eyes feel better after a month, that’s progress, not a reason to quit.

What you won’t find in most doctor’s offices? A clear comparison of cost, effectiveness, or how long each drop lasts. That’s where real-world experience matters. Some men use these drops for years. Others switch after one bad reaction. The posts below pull from actual patient reports, clinical data, and pharmacist insights to show what works, what doesn’t, and why some people give up too early—even when the drops are working.