Eye drops offer comfort in the blink of an eye, making them a staple in purses, bedside drawers, or work desks. Whether you’re using them to relieve irritation or maintain healthy eye pressure to manage glaucoma, there’s an eye drop for everyone. 

That said, too much of a good thing can sometimes do harm. No matter what type of drop you’re using, it’s important to be responsible. Unless your eye doctor instructs otherwise, frequent use of eye drops can lead to problems. 

Always talk to your eye doctor before starting new eye drops. 

Types of Eye Drops and Their Uses

Although many people reach for eye drops to soothe their eyes, managing dryness or irritation is not all these solutions have to offer. 

With different formulations to address various concerns, eye drops fall into several categories, including: 

• Artificial Tears: Ideal for dry eyes or irritation, which can worsen from screen time, allergies, or environmental factors. These are generally the most common over-the-counter (OTC) options, and they’re safe for daily use (in moderation). 
• Medicated Eye Drops: These help tackle specific concerns like inflammation, allergies, or infections.  
• Prescription Drops: These are prescribed to manage more serious conditions beyond irritation or discomfort, and are generally used for situations like glaucoma, post-surgery recovery (think LASIK or cataracts), or severe dry eyes. 

These drops work instantly once the formula interacts with your eye. However, it’s easy to get carried away. Though people are less likely to disregard instructions when medicated or prescription eye drops are involved, it’s still important to be responsible. 

Even misusing OTC artificial tears can create problems for your eyes. 

The Risks of Daily Use

“Daily” might not be the right way to frame it. If your eyes feel dry in the morning because of seasonal allergies, or a long day at work leads to eye strain, and you find relief with a drop or two of artificial tears, that’s probably fine.

Instead, it’s overusing eye drops (even artificial tears) that is the real problem. Here are some of the issues that might arise:

Rebound Effect 

Overusing redness-reducing (decongestant) eye drops can lead to something known as the rebound effect, where your eyes appear even redder once the drops wear off. This creates a cycle of dependency, where you reach for the eye drops more and more to address the redness, worsening the situation over time.

Greater Dependency 

Building on the idea of rebound, if you’re someone who uses artificial tears for dryness or irritation, overusing them can reduce your natural tear production, making you more likely to reach for the drops, creating another endless cycle.

This is particularly relevant if the drops you’re using contain preservatives to extend their shelf life. While not harmful with occasional use (unless you’re allergic), extensive exposure to preservatives can irritate your eyes.

Preservative-free artificial tears are a better option.

Masking Underlying Issues 

Eye drops might feel like magic in a bottle, but they aren’t a universal solution for irritation. Truthfully, relying on eye drops can mask symptoms of more serious problems. 

You might think persistent redness and irritation could be from dry eyes, but these symptoms could also stem from conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis, which require a visit to your eye doctor. 

Without proper management, these conditions can worsen, making your eyes vulnerable to serious concerns. If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, set aside the eye drops and see your eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis.  

​​Alternatives to Daily Eye Drops 

If you find that you’re reaching for eye drops to soothe irritation and dryness, it’s time to make the switch to preservative-free artificial tears. 

Since these drops don’t contain preservatives, they’re gentler on the eyes and less likely to contribute to irritation or cause dependency if used appropriately. They tend to have a thicker formulation, so you may not be reaching for them as often, but they are safe to use as needed.

On top of that, find other ways to comfortably support your eye health. Here’s what you can try: 

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain your body’s hydration levels, including your eyes’ tear production.
• Use a Humidifier: If you experience eye dryness, especially during Calgary’s harsh winters, a humidifier can add moisture to the air, reducing irritation from your environment.
• Incorporate Omega-3s: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon or flaxseeds, or supplements, can help improve tear production.
• Limit Screen Time: Follow the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain. Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Don’t forget to incorporate frequent breaks from your devices.
• Explore Dry Eye Treatments: If dryness and irritation persist, it’s time to visit your eye doctor to uncover the underlying cause of dry eye for effective treatments tailored to you. 

Don’t Mask, Address Your Symptoms

Eye drops can be a helpful tool, but only when you use them responsibly. Occasional drops to relieve symptoms? Perfectly fine. Excessive use to avoid solving an underlying problem? Not so much. If you’ve been noticing that your eyes feel dry, red, or irritated more often, it might be time to book an eye exam with us. Our Calgary Family Eye Doctors team can help pinpoint the cause and create a plan to help your eyes feel great!