Eye Drops and Lubricants
Preservative-free artificial tears and lubricant drops, the foundation of most routines.
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Dry Eye Routines
A good routine beats a random drop. These step-by-step dry eye routines pair simple daily habits with the right products for your situation, from everyday dryness to MGD, nighttime, makeup, and CPAP. Each one is reviewed by the DER Medical Advisory Panel.
Key takeaways
- A dry eye routine is a simple set of daily habits and products that keep your eyes comfortable, rather than a random drop now and then.
- There are five routines here, for everyday dryness, MGD, nighttime, makeup wearers, and CPAP users.
- Most routines share the same building blocks, a preservative-free drop, a warm compress and lid hygiene, so you can start simple, add steps, and layer routines together.
- Consistency matters more than any single product, since dry eye care builds up over time.
- If a routine is not enough, an eye care professional can check for causes that need more treatment.
Quick answer
Which routine is right for me?
If you are not sure, start with the Simple Daily Dry Eye Routine. If your dryness is tied to blocked oil glands, nighttime, eye makeup, or a CPAP machine, jump to that specific routine below. They all share the same simple foundation, so you can mix and match.
Choose Your Routine
Pick the routine that matches your situation. Each one walks through the steps and the products that help.
Everyday
Simple Daily Dry Eye Routine
A drop, a warm compress and lid hygiene, for mild to moderate dry eye.
Open the Routine
For MGD
MGD Dry Eye Routine
Heat first, then gentle cleaning, then a lipid-based drop.
Open the Routine
Overnight
Nighttime Dry Eye Routine
A gel or ointment at bedtime, and a moisture mask if your lids do not close fully.
Open the Routine
Beauty
Makeup Wearer Eye Care Routine
Better products, better placement, and removing it the right way each night.
Open the Routine
CPAP
CPAP Dry Eye Routine
Reduce mask air leaks, shield the eyes overnight, and treat the morning.
Open the RoutineWhy it works
Why a Routine Works Better Than a Single Drop
Dry eye is usually a long-term condition with more than one cause, so the surface of the eye does best with steady daily care rather than occasional relief. A routine keeps lubrication, lid hygiene, and gland health in balance, which is what stops symptoms from coming back.
Leading experts recommend a stepwise approach to dry eye, starting with consistent lubrication and lid care and adding more as symptoms require.
If blocked eyelid oil glands are behind your dryness, start with our guide to MGD.
Source: TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report (2025). Full citation at the end of this page.
The Building Blocks of Every Routine
Nearly every routine on this page is built from the same four categories. Browse them here, or open a routine above to see how they fit together.
Warm Compresses and Masks
Moist-heat masks that warm the eyelid oil glands so the oil can flow again.
Eyelid Hygiene
Sprays, foams and wipes that keep the lid margin and lash line clean.
Nighttime Relief
Gels, ointments and sleep masks that protect the surface overnight.
Routine essentials customers order most
Best sellers drawn from the four categories above. Descriptions are the manufacturer's own.
Nighttime reliefOptaseOptase Hylo Night Ointment Preservative-Free 300 uses (5g Tube)
What it is: A smooth and easy-to-apply eye ointment to ease the symptoms of night-time...
$16.95
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Daytime lubricationOptaseOptase Intense Preservative Free Eye Drops (10mL) 300 drops
OPTASE® Dry Eye Intense Drops Advanced Relief for Moderate to Severe Dry Eye Symptoms Product...
$23.95
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Lid hygieneAvenovaAvenova® Hypochlorous Spray Solution (20ml)
Avenova Professional Strength Antimicrobial Spray SolutionThe Purest Hypochlorous Acid Eyelid & Eyelash Cleanser Clearer, Healthier...
$29.99
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Warm compressBruderBruder Mask Moist Heat Dry Eye Compress - Microwavable
Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress – Doctor Recommended Relief for Dry Eyes A Clinically Proven,...
$22.95
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Lash line cleaningOptaseOptase Tea Tree Oil Eyelid Wipes - Preservative Free wipes Box of 30
OPTASE® Tea Tree Oil Eyelid Wipes Gentle, Preservative-Free Eyelid Cleansing for Daily Use Product Summary...
$17.95
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Preservative-free daytime dropOasis MedicalOasis Tears Plus Preservative-Free Eye Drops (10ml Multi-drop Bottle)
Oasis Tears Plus PF | Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops | 10mL Multi-Dose Bottle Intensive Relief...
$24.95
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Dry Eye Rescue Tip
Attach each habit to something you already do
Tie your routine to things you already do. A drop when you sit down at your desk, a warm compress while you watch TV, lid hygiene in the shower. Habits that attach to your day are the ones that stick.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Dry Eye Rescue works with a network of over 5,000 eye care professionals who can pinpoint the cause of your dryness and tailor a routine to you. Use the Doctor Locator to find one near you.
Related guides
Keep reading, or go back to the complete dry eye guide.
Guide
Your Complete Guide to Dry Eye
Causes, testing, treatment and everyday care.
Read the guide
Testing
Dry Eye Exams and Testing
What an assessment actually involves.
Read the guide
Symptom
Why Are My Eyes Itchy?
What causes itchy eyes, and how dry eye and allergies overlap.
Read the guide
Symptom
Why Are My Eyes Watery But Dry?
Why dry eyes water, and what reflex tearing says about your tear film.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
What is a dry eye routine?
It is a simple, repeatable set of daily habits and products that keep your eyes comfortable, instead of reaching for a random drop only when symptoms flare.
Which routine should I start with?
If you are not sure, start with the Simple Daily Dry Eye Routine. If you know your dryness is tied to blocked oil glands, makeup, nighttime, or CPAP, use that specific routine.
Can I combine routines?
Yes. Many people blend them, for example a daily routine plus the nighttime steps. The routines are built to layer together.
Do I need all the products listed?
No. Each routine shows the products that help, but you can start with the basics, usually a preservative-free drop, and add more as needed.
How long until a routine helps?
Many people feel better within a couple of weeks of consistent use, but dry eye is ongoing, so the routine works best as a daily habit rather than a quick fix.
Are these routines a replacement for seeing a doctor?
No. They are educational and support good daily care, but persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by an eye care professional.
Why does consistency matter so much?
Dry eye care builds up over time. A steady daily routine keeps the surface stable, while occasional use tends to let symptoms return.
How do I find a doctor if my routine is not enough?
Use the Dry Eye Rescue Doctor Locator to find an eye care professional near you from our network of over 5,000 providers.
Sources
- Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society. TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2025. ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(25)00274-0
This page is educational and does not replace advice from your eye care professional. Individual needs vary, and persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a professional. Product and brand names referenced are trademarks of their respective owners.
