Why Aren’t Your Eye Drops Working? 5 Hidden Triggers Making Dry Eye Worse

“OTC eye drops, like artificial tears, may supplement tear film temporarily, but they do not treat the underlying cause of dry eye,” explains Ragha. So, you might find yourself reaching for those drops every hour, which can be tedious, Ragha points out. Many OTC products also have preservatives, which can cause eye irritation if you use them too often, according to Orr.