10 Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes UK 2024 | Artelac, Optrex and More

Artelac's everyday drops for fast and lasting dry eye relief are designed for persistent moderate-to-severe cases, whether from screen use, tiredness, contacts or your environment. With a sodium hyaluronate content of 0.24%, they are the strongest drops on this list.

This high sodium hyaluronate content coupled with being preservative-free and contact lens-friendly makes it easy to see why these drops take our top spot. With tonnes of happy reviewers on Amazon enthusing about the effectiveness of these soothing eye drops, this is a purchase you and your eyes won't regret!

Ocusan is another market-leading eye drop brand with upper-echelon drops for moderate-to-severe cases of dry eye. Included are 20 single-dose vials with 0.5 ml in each vial. This makes for a well-portioned, healthy dose of drops every time you need them. 

The single-dose vials also eliminate any risk of bacteria growth tampering with your preservative-free drops. They're even compatible with all types of contact lenses, making for a well-rounded single drop set that's destined to offer relief in even the most stubborn of cases. 

These drops are particularly high in the sodium hyaluronate department at 0.2%, making them recommended for more persistent and severe cases of dry eye. Despite this, they're compatible with all types of contact lenses and are also pleasantly preservative-free. 

Though they have a higher price and a smaller 7.5 ml bottle, don't be put off, as this is a clear indicator they're top-shelf eye drops of the highest quality. These are really the last defence in the fight to cure your dry eyes before it's time to book an appointment to see the GP.

Though you may notice quite a substantial leap in price, these eye drops from Thealoz boast the unique inclusion of 3% trehalose. Trehalose is a naturally-occurring glucose that's found in all types of plants and animals, which prevents corneal cells from diminishing due to dryness. 

Coupled with 0.15% sodium hyaluronate, these duo drops are a supreme team to fight the good fight against dry eyes of all levels. They are also preservative-free and contacts-friendly, making it easy to see why these drops are in the higher threshold for price. 

Murine is another brand with plenty of eye drop options available in their range, but we particularly recommend these drops for dry and tired eyes, which are designed to soothe for up to 8 hours at a time. A quick look through the ingredients list shows that there's sodium hyaluronate included but the percentage is not stated.

On account of the low price, high net weight and the inclusion of preservatives, it's more than likely that these drops have 0.1% sodium hyaluronate, though it's not a given. This would make them more suited to mild dry eyes, but for the price, they're still a great deal indeed. 

Optrex are a hugely popular eye drop brand with many varieties that are readily available online. This is their intensive formula for dry eyes with a sodium hyaluronate content of 1.5%. This sits right in the middle of drops for mild and severe cases, so they're ideal for easing dryness from computer use, air conditioning, central heating and similar. 

Being branded for everyday use, they are also compatible for use with contact lenses, making them a good mid-range in terms of both strength and price. However, with the inclusion of preservatives, it's still good to be cautious if you suffer from a moderate-to-severe case of dry eyes. 

Coming highly recommended by Amazon reviewers and doctors alike, the Systane ultra eye drops use glycol instead of sodium hyaluronate to lubricate the eye. People are raving about its almost gel-like consistency that gives instant soothing relief. 

They're also perfectly suitable for use with both soft and hard contact lenses. Without the sodium hyaluronate no recommendation has been given to the severity of dry eyes they best suit, but with the inclusion of preservatives it's safe to assume they're for mild cases only. 

Vizulize's eye drops for dry eyes give long-lasting relief for people with mild cases of dryness from humid, dry environments and all-day screen use. They are designed to moisturise and soothe dry eyes and are also contact lens-friendly, making them ideal for just about anyone.

Coming in at only a few pounds a bottle also makes them the cheapest drops on this list. The only downside is that they aren't preservative-free. This shouldn't pose a risk to people with mild dry eyes, but it's still something worth noting if you want to use them frequently throughout the day. 

These drops from the Boots eye drop range are recommended for dry eyes of all levels. Being cheap, preservative-free, single dose and contact lenses-friendly, they certainly tick many of the eye drop boxes.

However, they don't necessarily excel in other areas. The 0.1% of sodium hyaluronate indicates drops for mild eyes, which is a slight contradiction for the need of preservative-free single-dose drops. Though a slightly confused set of single doses, at least they're cheap! 

Blink's intensive eye drops are very much on the budget end for people with moderate-to-severe dry eyes. With a sodium hyaluronate content of 0.20%, it's clear that these drops aren't for mild cases of dryness. 

Their biggest downfall is their inclusion of preservatives, which aren't recommended for cases of severe dry eye, so tread lightly initially. On the plus side, the single-dose drops of 20 vials with 0.4 ml make them an ideal amount for both eyes in one session – just make sure not to miss!