Apply artificial tears by tilting your head back, pulling the lower eyelid down, and placing drops without touching the tip to your eye.
Most people use artificial tears wrong without realizing it — touching the bottle tip to the eye, rubbing afterward, or wearing contacts during application can waste the drop and raise infection risk. The correct technique takes about thirty seconds and protects your eyes from contamination while getting the full dose of lubricant where it belongs.
The Right Way to Put In Eye Drops
Start by washing your hands thoroughly. Shake the bottle gently if the label directs it, and check that the liquid is clear — if the solution is cloudy or has changed color, throw it out and use a fresh bottle.
- Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
- Pull your lower eyelid down with one finger to form a small pouch.
- Squeeze the bottle lightly to release the prescribed number of drops into the pouch.
- Close your eye gently for a minute or two — don’t squeeze it shut.
- Wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.
Keep the dropper tip away from your eye, eyelids, and fingers throughout. Touching the tip to any surface invites bacteria into the bottle, and contaminated artificial tears can cause serious eye infections. Replace the cap tightly after each use.
Gels and Ointments: A Thicker Alternative
Artificial tears come in three thicknesses: liquid drops for daytime use, gels for longer-lasting relief, and ointments for nighttime protection. Thicker products stay on the eye longer but temporarily blur vision, which is why most people save ointments for bedtime.
To apply an ointment, pull down the lower lid and squeeze a thin strip along the inside of the eyelid — roughly a quarter to a half inch. Close the eye gently and roll your eyeball to spread the ointment, then wipe off any residue with a clean tissue.
How Often Can You Use Them?
The safe frequency depends on whether the product contains preservatives. Most preserved artificial tears should be limited to 4 to 6 times per day, because the preservatives that keep the bottle sterile can irritate the cornea with heavy use. Preservative-free products come in single-use vials and can be used much more often — in some dry-eye treatment plans, as frequently as every two hours.
If you need drops more than six times a day, ask a clinician whether a preservative-free formulation makes sense for your situation.
Safety Rules and Common Mistakes
A few errors undermine most people’s technique. Touching the dropper tip to the eye is the most common — it contaminates the bottle and can scratch the cornea. Rubbing your eyes right after applying washes the drop out and drags bacteria toward the eye. And wearing contact lenses during application is a mistake unless the product is specifically labeled for contact lens use.
If you use other eye medications, apply drops before ointments and wait at least five minutes between products. This prevents the ointment from keeping the next drop from absorbing. Most brands also require you to remove contact lenses before use — ask your eye doctor when it’s safe to put them back in.
Stop using the product and seek medical advice if you experience eye pain, vision changes, or persistent redness and irritation. The FDA recalled EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears in February 2023 over potential bacterial contamination — check your bottle’s label and discard either brand if you have it.
| Product Type | Best Time to Use | Key Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid drops | Daytime, as needed | Preserved versions limited to 4–6 times daily |
| Gels | When longer relief is needed | May blur vision temporarily |
| Ointments | Bedtime, before sleep | Significant blur — don’t drive right after |
The single most important habit is keeping the bottle tip clean. Form the lower-lid pouch, place the drop without contact, close the eye gently, and never rub. That routine delivers the full dose safely, every time.
FAQs
Do artificial tears expire after opening?
Yes. Most bottles are safe for about 28 days after opening, though the exact period varies by brand and is printed on the label. Preservative-free single-use vials must be discarded immediately after one use. Using drops past the discard date raises the risk of bacterial contamination and eye infection.
Can I use artificial tears with contact lenses?
Only if the product is specifically labeled for contact lens wearers. Most standard artificial tear bottles should be used before inserting lenses or after removing them. Ask your eye doctor how long to wait before reinserting your contacts after applying drops.
Why do my eyes feel worse after using the drops?
This usually signals either an allergy to a preservative in the formula or overuse beyond the recommended frequency. Switch to a preservative-free option and cut back to the directed dose. If burning persists beyond a few seconds, stop using the product and consult a clinician.
References & Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. “Artificial Tears.” Covers application technique, frequency limits, and product types.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Artificial Tears (Ophthalmic).” Details on dosing, handling, and safety warnings.
- Mayo Clinic. “Artificial Tears: How to Select Eye Drops for Dry Eyes.” Guidance on formulation types and frequency of use.