Artificial tears for dry eye. The commonest mistake is using them occasionally rather than regularly.
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Hypromellose is a lubricant — artificial tears. It is a thickened water-based solution that coats the eye surface, replacing the watery layer of the tear film and easing the grittiness and burning of dry eye.
It replaces tears; it does not make you produce more. That is why it works while it is in the eye and stops working when it drains away, and why frequency matters far more than strength.
It is the thinnest and cheapest of the artificial tears, which makes it a sensible starting point rather than the most powerful option.
Watery, streaming eyes are frequently dry eyes. A poor-quality tear film irritates the surface, which triggers reflex watering — so "my eyes water constantly" is often treated with lubricants rather than anything to dry them.
People use these when their eyes feel bad, a couple of times a day, and conclude they do not work. Dry eye responds to regular, pre-emptive use — four to six times daily, every day, for several weeks before judging it.
Leave at least five minutes between different drops, or the second simply washes out the first.
The important issue is preservative, not the lubricant itself. Benzalkonium chloride, the preservative in multi-use bottles, is itself irritating to the eye surface with frequent use.
If you need drops more than four to six times a day, or you have moderate or severe dry eye, use preservative-free single-use vials. Otherwise the preservative can perpetuate the very problem you are treating.
These need assessment rather than lubricants:
No systemic interactions — essentially nothing is absorbed.
Separate from other eye drops by five minutes.
Dry eye is often a symptom of something else. Consider an underactive thyroid, autoimmune disease such as Sjögren's or rheumatoid arthritis, the menopause, and — very commonly — medication.
Medicines that dry the eyes: antihistamines, older antidepressants, diuretics, beta blockers, isotretinoin and some blood pressure tablets.
Yes, though hypromellose costs very little over the counter and rarely needs a prescription.
What a consultation adds is working out why the eyes are dry, which is where the actual treatment usually lies.
What we cannot do is examine your eye. A painful red eye, reduced vision, or any eye problem in a contact lens wearer needs seeing in person the same day, and we will say so rather than send drops.
A prescription is never guaranteed. This page is information, not an offer to supply.
Hypromellose is among the cheapest medicines in this A-Z — a bottle costs little more than a pound over the counter, and own-brand is identical.
Preservative-free single-use vials cost noticeably more, but are the right choice if you need drops more than four to six times a day.
NHS prescriptions are free in Wales.
There is nothing to stop — use them as long as they help. Artificial tears are not habit-forming and the eye does not become dependent on them.
Step up in this order:
Persistent dry eye despite proper treatment warrants an optometry or ophthalmology assessment. Ciclosporin drops and punctal plugs both exist for more severe disease.
Far more often than most people do — four to six times a day, every day, not just when the eyes feel bad. Regular pre-emptive use is what works.
Yes, and this is one of the most useful things on this page. A poor tear film irritates the eye surface, which triggers reflex watering. Watery eyes are frequently treated with lubricants.
If you use drops more than four to six times a day, yes. The preservative in multi-use bottles is itself irritating with frequent use, and can keep the problem going.
Only preservative-free ones with lenses in. Otherwise take the lenses out, use the drop, and wait 15 minutes.
Because they are thicker than tears. It lasts a minute or two. Thicker gels blur more and last longer, which is why they suit bedtime.
Pain rather than discomfort, reduced vision, light sensitivity, or a red painful eye — particularly in a contact lens wearer. Those need same-day in-person assessment, not drops.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan, GMC 7563469
Last reviewed
September 8, 2026
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