Ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations 

Ophthalmic lubricants are used to treat dry and irritated eyes.

Eye lubricants keep the eye moist, help to protect the eye from injury and infection, and decrease symptoms of dry eyes such as burning, itching, and feeling as if something is in the eye.

Ocular lubricant ointments are available under the following different brand names: Dry Eyes, LacriLube NP, Advanced Eye Relief Night Time Lubricant Eye Ointment (Preservative Free), Duratears Naturale, Lubrifresh PM, PuraLube, Refresh PM, Tears Renewed, and Stye.

You may use artificial tears to: Treat dryness by adding moisture. Reduce friction on the cornea, the “window” of your eye, by adding lubrication. Soothe irritation.

For evaporative dry eye, Dr. Starr typically recommends lubricants with lipid- or oil-based ingredients, which can help thicken the tear film and reduce excessive evaporation. Look for a drop that lists any type of “oil” in the ingredients and/or mentions “evaporative dry eye” specifically.