Why Over-the-Counter Drops Don’t Treat the Root Cause of Dry Eye
Over-the-counter lubricating drops may offer temporary relief, but the dry eye problem is often more complicated than simply not releasing enough tears. A commonly accepted medical explanation portrays dry eye as a complex condition in which tear film instability, elevated tear concentration, inflammation, surface damage, and even nerve-related alterations can all play a role. That is why many individuals get a short boost after taking drops, but their troubles return within hours. What Most Over-the-Counter Drops Actually Do They add moisture but do not rebalance the tear film Many products act like lubricants that temporarily improve the watery layer of tears. Some also aim to support tear stability. This can reduce burning, grittiness, and blurred vision for a while, especially during screen work or dry indoor air. But lubrication alone usually cannot fix tear film imbalance if the underlying issue is inflammation or poor oil flow from the eyelids. They do not open blocked oil glan...