Over-the-counter eye drops are one way to manage dry eye symptoms. If you’re experiencing new or increased irritation, redness, or eye discomfort, it could be a sign of eye drop overuse.

Dry eye can happen to anyone. But if you’re experiencing persistent dryness, you may be living with a condition called dry eye disease (DED). It’s also known as dry eye syndrome and is often simply referred to as “dry eye.”

DED is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the eye doctor. It happens when your tears evaporate too quickly or when the glands that produce tears don’t make enough to lubricate your eye.

Not having a proper tear barrier between your eye and your eyelid can cause a variety of eye symptoms, such as:

  • discomfort or pain
  • redness
  • burning or stinging
  • light sensitivity
  • blurry vision
  • scratchy sensation
  • a feeling that there’s something in your eye or under your eyelid

To relieve dry eye, doctors typically recommend over-the-counter (OTC) lubricating eye drops known as artificial tears. While artificial tears are generally safe and effective when used as directed, overuse may cause additional eye issues.

You may be overusing eye drops if you’re exceeding the recommended dosage or using them more often than your doctor prescribes.

Overusing eye drops might not always cause an issue. However, contact your doctor if you experience any new or worsening eye symptoms, such as:

  • increased redness
  • blurry vision
  • excessive eye watering
  • irritation

Experiencing these symptoms can be a sign you’re overusing eye drops.

OTC eye drops are widely available and considered safe when used as instructed. However, the following factors may increase your risk of eye damage or other complications when using eye drops.

Preservative reaction

Many eye drops contain preservatives that prevent bacteria from growing in the solution. For some people, these preservatives may cause eye irritation.

With overuse, preservatives in eye drops may cause new symptoms of dry eye in some people.

Over time, severe dry eye can increase the risk of serious eye complications like ulceration and scarring, which can lead to vision loss.

Rebound redness

Decongestant eye drop products can temporarily relieve redness from dry eye. They work by constricting blood vessels in your eye, making the redness less noticeable.

However, eye redness may become worse once the decongestant wears off. This is known as rebound redness. It happens when blood vessels in your eyes dilate to larger than their original size.

Additionally, decongestant eye drops may not be safe for people with certain eye conditions, like narrow- or closed-angle glaucoma.

Other eye conditions

Eye conditions like ocular neuropathic pain can cause severe dry eye symptoms. They often require more advanced therapies in addition to eye lubrication.

Eye drops may not be as effective at relieving dry eye symptoms with these conditions. This can lead to eye drop overuse, increasing the risk of other issues.

How often you can use eye drops may vary depending on the type and brand.

  • Artificial tear solutions with preservatives: These are typically recommended no more than 4 times per day. If you need to use eye drops more often, try looking for preservative-free formulas that can be used as needed.
  • Decongestant eye drops: Follow the manufacturer’s dosing guidelines on the package. It’s not recommended to use them for more than a few days at a time.
  • Other types: Other OTC products include antihistamine eye drops to help manage allergy symptoms. These products may have significantly different usage recommendations, depending on their active ingredients.

Always take any medications as your doctor prescribes. This will help ensure you don’t over or underuse eye drops.

How often you can use eye drops will depend on your condition and your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

Using eye drops every day without an eye issue or using them for longer than your doctor recommends may lead to negative side effects.

OTC eye drops like artificial tears can provide relief from dry eye symptoms.

But using eye drops too often may cause more eye issues, especially if they contain preservatives or have other functions, like redness relief.

Reading product labels and following your doctor’s instructions can help ensure you don’t overuse eye drops.