Why Eye Drops Are So Important – MyGlassesAndMe

If your eyes ever feel dry, tired, itchy or just a bit “meh”, you are absolutely not alone. I have those feelings with my eyes everyday. Between screens, central heating, contact lenses and, you know, life… our poor eyes go through a lot every.single.day!

Eye drops are one of those things many of us only think about when our eyes feel really bad. But once you understand why eye drops are important, they start to feel more like everyday eye care, I like to think a bit like moisturiser, but for your eyeballs. I always carry a bottle of eyedrops with me in my make-up bag and it is actually what I say one of my beauty essentials.

Let’s break it down in a simple, non-scary way

Why are my eyes so dry all the time?

If you’ve ever thought, “Why are my eyes so dry?” – here are a few usual suspects:

• Screens, screens, screens: I cannot stress this enough! When we stare at phones, laptops or any kind of screen, we blink less. Less blinking = tears evaporate faster = dry eyes.
• Indoor life: Heating, air con, fans… they all dry out the air and your eyes along with it.
• Contact lenses: Lovely for ditching glasses sometimes, but they sit on the eye and can make things feel dry or “scratchy” later in the day. When ever I wear my contacts, that is how my eyes feel when it hit that 6 hours mark and then it is all down hill for my eyes.
• Allergies: Pollen, dust, pet hair – they can all make eyes red, itchy and watery. I know in the UK we are not in the high pollen season now but allergies to animals can still have the same impact.
• Age and hormones: As we get older (and at certain hormonal stages), our eyes can simply produce fewer tears.

Result? Eyes that feel gritty, tired, red or just not as fresh as they should?

So… what do eye drops actually do? Good question. What do eye drops do, really?

Most everyday lubricating eye drops (often called artificial tears) are designed to:

• Add moisture: They top up your natural tears and help keep the surface of your eye nice and hydrated.
• Protect the eye surface: A healthy tear film keeps things smooth and comfy every time you blink.
• Soothe irritation: That burning, scratchy, “I’ve been on my laptop for 10 hours” feeling? Drops can help calm that down. Literally cannot get my head around that and hence created XP-Pro Eyewear to tackle this problem for gamers.
• Rinse away tiny irritants: Some drops can help wash out dust, tiny particles or allergens.

In short, the benefits of eye drops are all about comfort and protection. Happy tears = happier eyes.

If you’re on screens all day, read this bit…

Hands up if you work at a computer and then relax… by scrolling on your phone or gaming?

If you notice:

• Dry, tired eyes by late afternoon
• Slightly blurry vision that clears when you blink
• A heavy, strained feeling around your eyes, you’re probably dealing with a bit of digital eye strain.

Using eye drops for screen use can:

• Help keep your eyes moist when you’re not blinking as much
• Reduce that end‑of‑day dryness
• Make long screen sessions feel a little less brutal

Eye drops aren’t a magic fix, but they’re a really helpful part of the toolkit – along with breaks, good lighting and remembering to actually blink.

Contact lens wearers, this is for you.

If you wear contact lenses, you’ll know the feeling:

• Lenses feel dry or “sticky” by the evening
• Your eyes look a bit red or tired
• You can’t wait to get home and take them out (definitely me!)

The right eye drops for contact lens wearers (always check the label or ask your optician) can:

• Add extra lubrication between the lens and your eye
• Help lenses feel more comfortable for longer
• Reduce that “get these off my eyes now” moment at the end of the day

If you’re not sure what’s safe with your specific lenses, your optician is 100% your best friend here.

A really common question: “Can I use eye drops every day?”

The honest answer is: it depends on the type of drops and your eyes. Many simple lubricating eye drops are designed for regular, everyday use especially preservative‑free ones. If you feel like you need drops constantly just to get through a normal day, it’s worth getting your eyes checked properly. There might be something else going on that needs looking into. That is not a normal feeling.

Always read the instructions, don’t share bottles, and follow any advice from your optician. Think of drops as part of your eye care routine – a bit like a beauty routine for your eyes and not something to be scared of.

My experience with eye drops

I am a firm believer in using eyedrops and I got into the habit of using them when I had eye ulcers a few years ago. I’ve never looked back since, it really helps to keep my eyes feeling fresh throughout the day. Also, very helpful when I am going in and out places with air-con or heating. My personal favourite eyedrops are Japanese brands, they were introduced to me by my cousin. I have learned that Japanese eyedrops uses slightly different ingredients to what is available in Europe. I just find they are all really good for my eyes.

Eye drops are like skincare for your eyes

We spend time and money on skincare, haircare and of course, gorgeous glasses – but our actual eyes often get neglected.  Once you understand why eye drops are important, they stop feeling like a last‑resort fix and start feeling more like everyday self‑care for your vision and help you to enjoy your glasses and lenses for longer, without that gritty, tired feeling because let’s be honest: healthy, comfortable eyes make every pair of frames look and feel better.

Note: Image by Natallia via UnSplash