Gel
Best for
A middle ground for bedtime when an ointment feels like too much.
Things to know
Thinner than an ointment, so it blurs less, but it does not last as long.
Dry Eye Routines / Nighttime
Nighttime Dry Eye Routine
Dry eye is often worst first thing in the morning. During sleep, tear production slows and the lids may not close fully, so the surface dries out. A nighttime routine protects your eyes through the night. Here is how.
Key takeaways
- Dry eye is often worst in the morning, because tears slow during sleep and the lids may not fully close.
- A thicker gel or ointment at bedtime stays on the surface longer than a watery drop.
- A moisture sleep mask helps if your eyes do not close fully at night.
- Lowering airflow and adding humidity in the bedroom helps too, and a preservative-free drop by the bed handles morning dryness.
- If mornings are always rough, ask an eye doctor about incomplete lid closure at night.
Quick answer
What should I do for my eyes at night?
Use a gel or ointment right before sleep so the eye stays coated overnight, add a moisture sleep mask if your lids do not close fully, and keep a preservative-free drop by the bed for the morning. Reduce direct airflow while you sleep.
Your Nighttime Routine
Four steps, the last one for the morning after.
-
Switch to a thicker drop at bedtime
A gel or ointment stays on the surface much longer than a watery drop, which protects the eye through the night. They can blur vision briefly, so use them right before sleep.
-
Consider a moisture mask
If your eyes do not fully close at night, a hydrating sleep mask holds moisture around the eyes and shields them from drying air.
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Set up your bedroom
Lower direct airflow from fans and vents, point them away from your face, and add a humidifier if the room is dry.
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Treat the morning
Keep a preservative-free drop by the bed for dryness when you wake. If mornings are always rough, ask an eye doctor about nocturnal lagophthalmos, where the lids do not close fully.
Gel or Ointment?
Both are thicker than a daytime drop, and both go in right before sleep. The difference is how long they last against how much they blur.
Ointment
Best for
Overnight protection when the surface needs the most coverage.
Things to know
Thicker and longer lasting, and it blurs more, so put it in after your last screen of the night.
Why mornings are worst
Tears slow, and the lids may not fully close
During sleep, tear production slows and incomplete eyelid closure can dry the eye overnight, so thicker gels and ointments are used at night to protect the surface.
Source: peer-reviewed reviews of nocturnal dry eye, and TFOS DEWS III (2025). Full citations at the end of this page.
Products That Help
Nighttime care needs an overnight gel or ointment and, for some people, a moisture sleep mask. These are the best sellers in Nighttime Relief, alongside the products this guide names. Descriptions are the manufacturer's own.
Overnight, preservative-freeOptaseOptase 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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Lids that do not close fullyOphthalmic Resources PartnersSleepTite, SleepRite daily nighttime lid closure device (30ct)
SleepTite/SleepRite™ – Nighttime Relief for Inadequate Lid Seal (ILS) Single-Use, Hypoallergenic Lid Seals for Improved...
$43.95
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Moisture sleep maskEyeEcoEyeEco Eyeseals 4.0 Hydrating Sleep Mask for Nighttime Relief or Rest - Great for CPAP Users – Hypoallergenic, Latex-Free
EyeSeals 4.0™ Moisture Retention Sleep Shields – Available in Clear & Charcoal Ultimate Nighttime Protection...
$62.50
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A simple nightly ointmentAbbvieRefresh PM Lubricant Nighttime Eye Ointment (3.5g)
Refresh PM Lubricant Eye Ointment (3.5g) – Nighttime Dry Eye Relief Long-Lasting Moisture & Protection...
$12.95
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A larger tube for nightly useOCuSOFTOcusoft Retaine PM Nighttime Ointment Economy Size 5g
OCuSOFT Retaine PM Nighttime Eye Ointment – 5g Description OCuSOFT Retaine PM is a preservative-free,...
$15.95
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A bedtime gel instead of an ointmentGenTeal TearsGenTeal Tears Severe Dry Eye Nighttime Gel
GenTeal Tears Lubricant Gel Eye Drops for Severe Day and Night Relief (8mL 0.3 FL...
$16.95
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Shop Nighttime Care
Nighttime Relief
Gels, ointments and overnight devices in one place.
Eye Masks and Goggles
Moisture sleep masks that hold humidity around the eyes overnight.
Eye Drops and Lubricants
Preservative-free drops for the morning and through the day.
Dry Eye Rescue Tip
Put the ointment in after your last screen
Ointments blur vision for a few minutes because they are thick, which is exactly why they are a bedtime tool. Put it in after your last screen of the night, not before.
Waking Up With Dry, Gritty Eyes?
Morning dryness can point to incomplete lid closure at night, which a doctor can check for. Dry Eye Rescue works with a network of over 5,000 eye care professionals who can find the cause of your dryness and tailor your care. Use the Doctor Locator to find one near you.
Related guides
Keep reading, or go back to all the routines.
CPAP
CPAP Dry Eye Routine
Reduce mask air leaks, shield the eyes overnight, and treat the morning.
Read the guide
Everyday
Simple Daily Dry Eye Routine
A drop, a warm compress and lid hygiene, for mild to moderate dry eye.
Read the guide
Testing
Dry Eye Exams and Testing
What an assessment actually involves.
Read the guide
Guide
Your Complete Guide to Dry Eye
Causes, testing, treatment and everyday care.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
Why are my eyes driest in the morning?
During sleep, tear production slows and the lids may not fully close, so the surface dries out overnight and feels worst when you wake.
What should I put in my eyes at night?
A gel or ointment, which stays on the surface longer than a watery drop. Use it right before sleep, since it blurs vision briefly.
What is the difference between a gel and an ointment?
An ointment is thicker and lasts longer but blurs more. A gel is a middle ground for bedtime when an ointment feels like too much.
What is a moisture sleep mask?
It is a soft mask that sits over the eyes and holds moisture around them overnight, helpful if your lids do not close fully.
What is nocturnal lagophthalmos?
It is when the eyelids do not close completely during sleep, which dries the eye. An eye doctor can check for it if your mornings are always rough.
Can my bedroom make dry eye worse?
Yes. Direct airflow from fans, vents, or air conditioning dries the eyes. Point them away and consider a humidifier.
Are these products safe for nightly use?
Follow the label. Many gels and ointments are preservative-free and made for regular nighttime use, but check the product and ask your doctor if unsure.
How do I find a doctor for morning dryness?
Use the Dry Eye Rescue Doctor Locator to find an eye care professional near you from our network of over 5,000 providers.
Sources
- Peer-reviewed reviews of nocturnal dry eye, on reduced tear production during sleep and incomplete eyelid closure.
- 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. Follow the product label. Product and brand names referenced are trademarks of their respective owners.
