Should I see a doctor or try eye drops first?

For plain dryness or mild irritation, with no pain and clear vision, trying an over-the-counter lubricating drop as its label directs is a reasonable first step. Go to an eye doctor first, without trying drops, if you have eye pain, vision changes, an injury, a chemical splash, or something stuck in the eye. If drops don’t help, the label says to stop and see a doctor after 72 hours.

When trying eye drops first makes sense

Lubricating drops are sold without a prescription because they’re meant for common, mild symptoms. Quell’s label lists its Uses as: For use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye. That covers situations like these:

• Eyes feel dry or scratchy after a long day at a screen.
• A windy walk, a flight, or a heated office leaves your eyes feeling tight or gritty.
• Air conditioning or a car vent has been blowing on your face.
• Your eyes feel tired after a late night.

In each case your vision is clear, there’s no real pain, and you can point to a likely reason. Using drops as directed (Apply 1 drop 3 times per day in each eye), together with simple changes like moving away from vents or taking screen breaks, is a sensible thing to try.

When to see a doctor first

Some symptoms shouldn’t wait for a drop to work. Get prompt care, from an eye doctor, urgent care or the emergency room depending on severity, if you have:

• Eye pain, rather than mild discomfort.
• Any sudden change in vision: blurring that doesn’t clear with blinking, dark spots, flashes or loss of part of your vision.
• An injury: a blow to the eye, a scratch, or something that hit it at speed.
• A chemical splash. Rinse with clean water right away and get medical help.
• Something stuck in the eye that won’t rinse out.
• Strong sensitivity to light, or a lot of discharge.

Our list of eye symptoms that need a doctor goes through these in more detail.

The 72-hour rule on the label

If you try drops first, the label tells you when to stop: Stop use and ask a doctor if you feel eye pain or changes in your vision, if irritation or redness continues, or if the condition worsens or persists for 72 hours. In practice, that means if your eyes aren’t better after three days, or they get worse at any point, it’s time to stop and see a doctor rather than keep trying.

It also means watching for new symptoms while you’re using drops. Pain or vision changes are reasons to stop right away, not after 72 hours.

Which kind of doctor?

For most eye symptoms, an optometrist is a good first stop: they examine eyes, prescribe glasses and refer you on when needed. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who also does eye surgery and handles more complex problems. Our guide to optometrist or ophthalmologist explains the difference. For a serious injury or chemical exposure, go to the emergency room.

Working out the cause of eye symptoms, and what to do about them, belongs to the doctor. Over-the-counter drops can make eyes more comfortable, but they don’t identify why your eyes are dry.

Cases where the label sends you elsewhere

Some situations aren’t covered by an over-the-counter lubricating drop’s label at all, and an eye doctor or pharmacist should weigh in before you try one:

• You wear contact lenses; the label doesn’t give directions for use with them.
• The drops are for a child.
• You already use other eye drops, especially prescription ones.
• You’ve recently had eye surgery.
• You have an egg or bird allergy. The label says: Caution should be used in those with egg or bird allergies — For use in the eyes only.

A quick self-check

If you’re not sure which side of the line you’re on, our dry eye self-check asks a few questions about your symptoms and suggests whether drops or a doctor’s visit makes more sense. It’s not a diagnosis, and if anything in it raises a concern, follow up with a doctor.

If drops seem like the right first step, Quell is designed to reinforce the tear film’s oil layer to help reduce moisture loss. The full label is on the Drug Facts page. If you buy a bottle and then find you need to see a doctor instead, unopened bottles can be refunded within 30 days of delivery.