Eyelid bumps can be many things, but they are often associated with a bacterial infection with abscess formation (a collection of pus, like a pimple) in the glands of the eyelid. This is called a stye.

These meibomian glands are structures in the eyelid that create oils for lubricating the surface of the eye, enhancing comfort and improving vision.  When an oil gland is blocked, it can cause the oil to stagnate, which may begin to increase the bacterial load within the gland, causing a painful bump on the eyelid.

Although there are many types of eyelid bumps, we'll specifically be discussing styes in this article.

• Tender or painful eyelids
• Redness of the surrounding skin
• Discharge/mucous coming from the area
• Nodule, or bump, formation
• A pimple on the eyelid

Using an eye drop is not the best method to soothe an eyelid bump for a few reasons. The first being that they occur on the EYELID and not on the EYE.

The second being that an eye drop does not maintain contact with the eyelid area for that long, therefore not making as much of an impact as other methods.

Your body’s natural defenses can often resolve a stye without the need for special medication, but keeping your eyelids clean is among the most helpful things you can do to help support your body’s natural response to these painful eyelid bumps. Keeping your eyelids clean also helps support your body’s normal defenses against these bumps coming back.  

Using an eyelid cleanser twice daily (think of it like brushing your teeth for your eyes) is where you should start.  If you find that your eyes' defenses need more support to fight a stye than a cleanser can give, make sure to see your eye doctor for an evaluation.

Below are our top five tips for dealing with a stye:

Released in June 2017, Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser is one of the first over-the-counter hypochlorous acid eyelid cleansers.  

This natural, non-detergent based spray is perfect for deep cleaning the skin, which makes it great for use while you have a stye. You want to make sure to keep that area clean!

This is our "go-to" product as it is very gentle and we have had great success with our patients.

Shelf Life: 2 year shelf life after manufacture date

Although I know you're wishing I had an eye drop recommendation for your stye, unfortunately eye drops don't always work well to treat them.  However, keeping your facial and eyelid skin clean can play an important role in helping your body’s natural defenses control conditions like styes that are often caused by dirt and debris clogging necessary glandular drainage.

We love the Heyedrate Foaming Face Wash because it contains minimal ingredients and it's gentle on your skin. We recommend washing your face twice daily while dealing with a stye.

There are over-the-counter stye ointments you can find at your pharmacy to help provide temporary soothing relief while your body’s natural defenses work to resolve your stye. You could grab one of those or use something similar – just make sure the product is intended for use in or around the eye to avoid additional problems.

After washing your face and cleansing with an eyelid wipe or hypochlorous acid eyelid cleanser, pull out the affected eyelid and squeeze about a quarter-inch of ointment inside.  Or you can just apply it to the outside of your eyelid for ease. 

If you need healing help, such as an antibiotic, for a particularly bad stye, you'll need to see your eye doctor. You should also consult a doctor and discontinue use of any ointment if you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. 

5. Not A Drop But...A Warm Compress

Don't forget to apply a warm compress to your eyelid for additional temporary soothing relief.  The one we've linked here even comes with a removable cover for easy cleaning.  With painful eyelid bumps, make sure to keep the area clean, heat it up with a warm compress, and see your doctor if it gets worse or you see no improvement.

NEVER, EVER pop the bump on your eyelid.  This can spread the infection and involve the entire eye area.

It is always a good idea to have your stye looked at by an eye care practitioner. If the infection is bad enough, oral or topical antibiotics may need to be prescribed.

Visine and Clear Eyes are the most frequently used eye drops available on the market. What if I told you that these drops could potentially make your dry, irritated eyes worse?  

All “redness-reliever” drops do, in fact, remove the redness from your eyes, but your eyes also get addicted to the redness remover, making you rely on the drops even more than before to keep your eyes white.  

This is a fantastic marketing technique by those companies! You’re forced to continue purchasing the eye drops to keep your eyes white.

Also, when your eyes are red and irritated, there is usually an underlying cause. Figuring out the cause by seeing an eye care practitioner is always best. Here is a basic guide to why your eyes might feel like they do and what to do about it.  

Burning is an incredibly common symptom that goes along with dry, irritated eyes.  Warm compresses and omega-3’s are a great starting point to get the oils moving and increase the quality of the oil your eyelid glands produce.  

We also prescribe Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser to keep the eyelids clean and functioning properly. 

If you need an eye drop, the over-the-counter drop we recommend the most is  Oasis Tears Plus Eye Drops.  Keep in mind that artificial tears just cover up a problem and do not fix it, but this one is preservative free and is a great option.

This condition will cause intense itching, especially in the corners of the eyes. Eyes will be watery as well. A great over-the-counter drop for itchy eyes is  Alaway. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor if you're still not feeling better with Alaway, as you could be dealing with something else. 

This condition is contagious! You may notice redness, watery eyes, and general discomfort. This may spread from one eye to the other over the course of a few days, and it may spread to other family members as well.

There is no treatment for "pink eye" since it is viral. Frustrating, I know!

But make sure to keep the eyelid area clean with a  hypochlorous acid eyelid cleanser.

This is often accompanied by yellow, goopy discharge. Eyelids are often  stuck together in the morning. Cleaning the eyelids more thoroughly both morning and evening can help support healthier eyes and eyelids.  

We suggest using  Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser both in the morning and at night after washing your face. You should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an antibiotic if you've got severe discharge or goopiness that persists despite cleansing your eyelids.

There are MANY conditions that fit into this category. Some contact lens complications  can be sight threatening. Symptoms are often intense redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Give your optometrist a call immediately if you notice any of these symptoms and especially if you've slept in your contact lenses recently (a big no-no!)  

If your contact lenses are dry, switching to a more frequent replacement lens, such as daily disposables (lenses that you throw away every day), is best.  

If you do not throw your contact lenses away daily, switch to a solution without preservatives, such as  ClearCare (please read the use instructions carefully and avoid eye contact). When using ClearCare, your lenses will need to sit in the solution for at least six hours before you put them back into your eyes.

This hypochlorous acid cleanser is a great answer for those of you with red, irritated eyes. We love this cleanser because it's helping to get to the root of the problem.

This solution is super easy to use. Simply spray it onto a cotton ball or round for application to your closed eyelids. There's no need to rinse it off and it has a 2-year shelf life.

If you love using eye drops, then this one is a great choice. It's preservative free and nonirritating. You'll love the feel of this lubricating eye drop, and you'll be able to use it as much as you want due to the lack of preservatives. It comes in small, single-use vials for your convenience. We also love the mission of this company, and they distribute directly through doctors so you know you're getting a quality product.

Refresh Advanced PF is a favorite of those in our community because it's been around awhile and it usually never disappoints. This is a non-preserved artificial tear that includes no additional chemicals which would irritate the eyes. The goal of artificial tears is lubrication of the tissues on the ocular surface, and this is a great option for daily use.

This eye drop was a favorite of ours for many years, and we prescribed it often in our clinics. The preservative free Retaine MGD is going to be a great choice when you want something to give you instant support for those dry, irritated eyes at the end of a long day, and you can feel free to use these as often as you'd like since they contain no preservatives. These also come in small vials for ease of carrying with you.

Wait, what?! Yes, you may have noticed that we put Lumify on both the good and bad list. First of all, Lumify is great for soothing redness of the eyes quickly and efficiently. It has also shown no rebound redness in studies, which makes it superior to other redness relievers on the market. However, we can still only recommend this for occasional use because it is not an artificial tear and it does contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which is a preservative that can further irritate the eyes. If you have a wedding or a big meeting coming up, go ahead and use a drop. But please don't make it a habit!

Visine solves the red eye problem by causing the affected blood vessels to artificially constrict. Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%, the active ingredient in Visine, causes this physical shrinking of the conjunctival blood vessels.

This accomplishes the immediate goal of lessening the eye’s redness, however, as the medication eventually wears off, rebound redness may occur, which makes the initial problem that much worse.

Truthfully, we just can't recommend Visine use because this rebound redness, where your eyes become just as red as (if not more red than) before, may actually become the default condition of your eyes when used too often.

We feel the same way about ClearEyes as we do Visine. The traditional ClearEyes includes lubricants, but it is also made up of Naphazoline Hydrochloride 0.012% (which is used as the redness reliever).

This is no better than other redness relievers on the market, and you'll still experience rebound redness when using it too often.

If they claim to "get the red out", you should just steer clear. If it's generic in any form, you should tread lightly. Generic eye drops are not as tightly regulated as branded eye drops, which most often have a specific profile of ingredients and preservatives.

Generic drops (even those that only provide lubrication) may change formulas from time to time and you may end up being sensitive to something you never were sensitive to before. This may be because an ingredient or concentration of the product changed, but the packaging did not.

This one makes the bad list because we have friends who love the tingle of these drops, yet they're no better than other redness relieving eye drops out there! Specifically, we're talking about the redness relieving Rohto drops, but they truthfully all contain BAK and should be used sparingly.

The redness reliever drops contain Naphazoline hydrochloride 0.012% as well as menthol, which help to get rid of the redness and also give that cool feeling. If you're into using these every once in awhile for a wedding or meeting, we're alright with that. However, these should only be used for occasional, as-needed use. 

- Dryness Symptoms → Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser
- Nighttime Dryness → Retaine PM
- Itchy Eyes → Alaway

We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Have you ever walked down the eye care aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store and noticed all of the artificial tears available? The choices seem infinite! So, how do you make the right choice?

First of all, you want to avoid preservatives in eye drops because preservatives can further irritate your already sensitive eyes. One of the major preservatives used in eye drops is benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and you'll find this in everything from artificial tears to allergy drops.

For many people, preservatives can be irritants so it's best to avoid them at all costs. Also, everyone has a different cause for their dryness, so everyone may react differently. Here are some other tips for choosing eye drops:

• Avoid redness reliever products.  These products are designed to decrease the amount of redness in your eyes, not to decrease your dryness. In addition, these drops can often cause "rebound redness" some time later, making your eyes look more red and more uncomfortable than before.
• If you wear contact lenses, use contact lens specific rewetting drops. Regular lubricating drops can be thick and adhere to your contact lenses, causing blurred or hazy vision for hours after use. Drops designed for contact lenses are not as thick as other artificial tears and will not cause blurred vision for very long. They will be labeled as “rewetting drops” or “for contact lenses.” Bonus points if they're preservative free!

You're correct...this isn't an eye drop. However, we believe it's one of the most important products you can incorporate into your eye care routine, so we're making it #1. This hypochlorous acid cleanser is a great one for those of you with red, irritated eyes. We love this cleanser because it's helping to get to the root of the problem instead of just covering up the symptom, as most artificial tears do.

By cleansing with hypochlorous acid, you're supporting your eyelid health (and therefore your eye health).

This solution is super easy to use, there's no need to rinse it off, and it has a 2-year shelf life. Check price and reviews on Amazon!

We don't recommend eye drops often, but when we do it's usually these. We love this drop because they lubricate, moisten and support delicate eye tissues.

Oasis TEARS is a true solution that keeps tears on the eye surface. The drops are free of preservatives and come with 30 sterile, single-use vials per box. They're recommended for both day and nighttime use, and are safe for use with contact lenses.

We also have nothing but good things to say about this company and their mission. They are dedicated to patients, and you're only able to purchase these straight from your eye doctor. So, if you purchase them online (anywhere but our website), know that this goes against Oasis's doctor to patient model. Check price and reviews.

This new, preservative-free, low blur formula fortifies and restores the lipid layer of the tear film. Its unique blend of natural oils helps prevent tear evaporation and is clinically proven to support your eyes.

We love this drop because it provides the ocular surface with the healthy omega-3 oils we always speak about. MEGA-3 does not require shaking prior to use, comes in sterile vials, and is a great option we recommend. Check price and reviews on Amazon.

This artificial tear is a favorite of patients because it's been around awhile and it usually never disappoints. This is a non-preserved artificial tear that includes no additional chemicals which would irritate the eyes.

The goal of artificial tears is lubrication of the tissues on the ocular surface, and this is a great option for daily use. We used this artificial tear for years in our clinics, and it works well. Check price and reviews on Amazon.

This eye drop was a favorite of ours for many years, and we prescribed it often in our clinics. The preservative free Retaine MGD is a great choice at the end of a long day, but you can feel free to use these as often as you'd like since they contain no preservatives.

These also come in small vials for ease of carrying with you. You'll need to shake these well before use, so make note of that. Check price and reviews on Amazon.

Bausch and Lomb's Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops are clinically proven to soothe the eyes.These revolutionary, advanced drops provide soothing comfort and long lasting lubrication, keeping eyes feeling fresh throughout the day. 

We recommend this eye drop because it helps maintain your eyes' natural moisture balance. And they're preservative free, so they're gentle enough to use as often as needed. Check price and reviews on Amazon.

This is a unique innovation in eye drops. NanoTears contains Nanopids, or tiny, clear, soothing lipids that revitalize the eyes' natural lubrication by restoring the lipid layer of the tear film. They provide a barrier to tear loss without the blur associated with other drops. 

With these drops, you'll notice long-lasting hydration, and these come in single use vials similar to the drops mentioned above. Check price and reviews.

If you are still unsure on which drop to use, your local eye care provider can suggest specific drops just for you and your eye condition.

Now I'm going to discuss a bit about best practices for using artificial tears, no matter what type you choose from the above list. First, always wash your hands prior to putting eye drops in your eye (or your child’s). It does you no good to use eye drops to solve one problem if you inadvertently create an entirely new problem by introducing a new irritant into the eye. Also, make sure you don’t touch the dropper tip or eyeball with your hands, as you could introduce a foreign contaminant that would then be transferred to the eye.

Always use a mirror when inserting your eye drops; trying to freehand an eye drop into your eye creates a completely unnecessary risk that you will scratch your eye with the dropper tip or a fingernail.

Looking in the mirror, pull the lower eyelid down and away from the face, and place a drop (or more, if prescribed) into the gap you’ve created by pulling the eyelid down. Before moving on to the next eye, close the first eye and look around with the eye closed to evenly distribute the artificial tear around the inside of the eyelid. It may also help to press on the small puncta next to your nose, to keep drops from leaking out of your eyes.

Repeat the entire process on the other eye. Alternatively, feel free to lie back on a bed or couch and apply the drops if the above method proves to be too difficult.

Don’t panic if you feel an odd sensation, like tasting the eye drops or feeling them in the back of your throat; the various tubes and sinuses in your head are all interconnected, and it’s not uncommon to feel eye drops in your throat. 

11 Most Used Eye Drops

We decided to take a survey in our Support Community to find the 11 most used eye drops in hopes of simplifying your search. Below is a list of the results, including the product description, ingredients, directions, and where to purchase the drop.

1. Systane Ultra 

Ingredients: Active Ingredients - Purpose.Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% - Lubricant.Propylene Glycol 0.3% - Lubricant. Inactive Ingredients: Boric Acid, Calcium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Magnesium Chloride, Polyquaternium-1 as a preservative, Potassium Chloride, Purified Water, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Chloride.

Directions: Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed. Other information: Store at room temperature.

Check Price On Amazon

2. Refresh Optive Mega-3 Lubricant Eye Drops

Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, Glycerine, Polysorbate 80

Directions: To open, twist and pull tab to remove. Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and discard the container.

Check Price On Amazon

3. Refresh Optive Advanced

Ingredients: Active Ingredients - Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Glycerin 1%, and Polysorbate 80 0.5%. Purpose: Eye lubricants. Inactive Ingredients - Boric acid; carbomer copolymer type A; castor oil; erythritol; levocarnitine; purified water; and sodium hydroxide.

Directions: To open, twist and pull tab to remove. Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and discard the container.

Check Price On Amazon

4. Restasis

Restasis comes in both single dose vials and a new multidose bottle, and both act in the same way to produce the same results. It is recommended to make Restasis part of your daily routine and use it twice per day, morning and evening, for best results. From our experience in practice, it can often take patients six months or more to notice a change in their symptoms.

Allergan, the manufacturer of Restasis, offers a savings plan which allows you to save hundreds of dollars per month. In addition to this, they also offer assistance to those who qualify, and you could be eligible to get Restasis for free. 

5. Ocusoft Retaine MGD

Ingredients: Light Mineral Oil (0.5%) Mineral Oil (0.5%)

Directions: Shake Well before using; Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and discard container.

Check Price On Amazon

6. Hylo-Forte Intensive Lubricating Eye Drops

Ingredients: 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid

Directions: Recommended dosage is one drop in each eye. Apply the drops three times in a day. Drops can be used more frequently if required

Check Price On Amazon

7. Xiidra

Xiidra is a prescription eye drop approved by the FDA for both the signs and symptoms of dry, irritated eyes. Ask your eye doctor about prescription Xiidra.

Directions: To avoid contamination, make sure the container tip doesn’t touch anything. Tilt your head back looking skyward while gently pulling your lower eyelid down. Making sure the solution has moved to the tip of the Xiidra container, place the tip of the container close to (but not touching) your eye. Give the single-use container a gentle squeeze and drop into your eye. Repeat on the other side with the same container, and then discard.

8. Thealoz Duo

Ingredients: Trehalose 3%, Sodium Hyaluronate 0.15%

Directions: Easy to squeeze bottle with no waste. Apply one drop in each eye.

Check Price On Amazon

9. TheraTears

Ingredients: Borate Buffers, Calcium Chloride, Dequest, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Purified Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Perborate, and Sodium Phosphate

Directions: Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed. Do not use if imprinted neckband is broken or missing

Check Price On Amazon

10. Autologous Serum Drops

In most cases, the more severe the dryness, the greater the need for autologous serum eye drops. Autologous serum eye drops are simply eye drops that have been made with the plasma that is located in your own blood. These drops are dependent solely on your blood and cannot be made with anything else.

This procedure and eye drop is not typically covered by medical insurance. To get a two month supply of autologous serum eye drops, you can expect to spend $175 to $300.

Vital Tears is an innovative company that is making it much easier for people to obtain autologous serum eye drops. This is great news for those who may be in rural areas or who may not have access to a specialist who is well versed in this technology.

11. Refresh Plus

Ingredients: Active Ingredients - Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%. Purpose: Eye lubricant. Inactive Ingredients - Calcium chloride; magnesium chloride; potassium chloride; purified water; sodium chloride; and sodium lactate. May also contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Directions: To open, twist and pull tab to remove. Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and discard the container. 

Check Price On Amazon

 We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

By definition, an allergy is an atypical, hypersensitivity reaction to substances within a person’s normal environment. These substances are often commonplace, and the body has merely developed an immune response to these elements, which may be anything from pollen and dust to food and animal dander. You may even have a sensitivity to elements within new laundry detergents or facial lotions. Unfortunately, the possibilities are endless.

Allergies can take on many forms, and they are different for everyone. Seasonal allergies are quite possibly the most well known. This form is most often associated with plant pollens and typically will affect you during the spring. Perennial allergies, on the other hand, are noticed year-round. These allergens are typically due to indoor elements such as animal dander and insect proteins.

You may notice during these times that your eyes tear more often and, in fact, your tears play a very important role in both allergic conditions and dryness. When the surface of your eye detects an allergen or becomes unstable due to dryness, reflex tearing occurs and your eyes begin to water.

This reflex tearing occurs because the eye is calling for tears to flush out the allergens and protect the ocular surface. Although annoying, these tears can be helpful in flushing away allergic material and reducing the contact time with your eye, minimizing the allergic response. However, the unstable surface of the eye must still be supported.

Why Are My Eyes Dry and Itchy?

There are so many reasons for dry, itchy eyes, but since you're here reading about allergies, there's a good chance this is the cause for you. This is the first cause we think of when you have itchy eyes. Pollen is the number one instigator, but grass, trees, and weeds can all contribute to both seasonal and perennial allergies.

Pet dander is another common cause of allergies, and so is mold. These can both be found readily in many homes and contribute to perennial allergies. 

Some allergy sufferers also notice that they react to other things, such as cigarette smoke. If you're a smoker or have one in your home, you should make an attempt to quit for the comfort and health of both you and those around you. 

Lastly, perfumes, cosmetics, and household cleaners and detergents can all contribute to allergies. If you're suffering from allergic symptoms but it seems to be something other than pollen, take a look at the products you're using on a daily basis.

When you're looking for a high quality pair of sunglasses, there are a few things that you should consider. First of all, you want to make sure you're choosing sunglasses that are as unbreakable as possible, because most of us are known for breaking our sunglasses! To learn more about the benefits of wearing sunglasses check out this article.

Looking for sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses is a great idea. Lenses made of polycarbonate are the most impact resisitant lenses on the market, meaning they're going to be less likely to shatter or break. They are 10X more protective than plastic or glass lenses and they provide 100% UV protection, or UV 400 protection. These protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

In addition to them being impact resistant, they are also super lightweight so they're the ideal choice for athletes, pilots, children, and those with jobs in hazardous environments.

To enhance polycarbonate lenses, it's often recommended to add an anti-reflective and hydrophobic coating as well as scratch resistance (which is often included).

Now that you've got the lenses chosen, you'll also want to look into frames that are made of titanium or TR90 plastic. Titanium frames, for those of you who prefer metal sunglasses, are going to be lightweight, durable, and hypoallergenic. Titanium is silver in color and boasts high strength.

TR90 plastic is a great choice for those who prefer plastic frames. This lightweight material is incredibly durable and actually pretty bendable, so it's great for those who tend to be tough on glasses and sunglasses. TR90 can also come in any color.

Asides from the actual style and shape of sunglasses, you'll also want to make sure they're polarized. Polarized lenses ensure that you're not dealing with extra, unwanted glare and they are similar to an anti-reflective lens.

Normally, when the sun hits a flat surface such as water, the road, or a windshield, it bounces off and is horizontally polarized. This causes extremely intensive light to travel directly to your eyes. Polarized lenses contain a unique filter that blocks this horizontally polarized light, reducing that awful glare! Regular, non-polarized sunglasses allow this intense light to hit your eyes. Do yourself a favor and choose polarized! If you'd like to read more about polarized vs. non-polarized lenses, click here.

It can be difficult to find a great pair of sunglasses that don't break after a few uses, and many people can relate to this! I am always speaking with patients about the importance of wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection while outdoors, and I often hear complaints about how easily sunglasses break. For this reason, many new sunglasses have come onto the market that promise better outcomes. 

The William Painter "The Hook" Titanium Polarized Sunglasses are our #1 choice because they're so versatile! This is a classic style made with aerospace grade titanium, so these frames are super lightweight and durable. We love that they have the world's lightest nylon polarized lenses with scratch resistance and 100% UVA UVB protection. They're also an authentic, small batch design made by an independent team in California.

In addition, they come with a discrete yet interesting feature...a bottle opener. This bottle opener is set within the temple or ear piece of the frame, so you won't notice it until you're ready to use it on your favorite beverage. This is the perfect pair of sunglasses for a day on the lake, out on the town, or just hanging out with friends and family. 

Where can I buy William Painter's "The Hook" polarized sunglasses?

You knew we couldn't craft this list without including Ray-Ban. Ray-Ban is the world's most iconic eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. Every model in the Ray-Ban collection is the product of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world.

Using the same iconic shape as the classic wayfarer, these sunglasses offer an updated version that includes a smaller frame and slightly softer eye shape. These lightweight and durable frames boast polarized lenses for 100% UV protection and new gradient lenses and matte colors are available to make this style even cooler.

Where can I buy the Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Classic Sunglasses?

I absolutely love this pair of sunglasses, and I believe it's one of the best options for a great pair of unbreakable, sporty sunglasses. Plus, they're super lightweight! Maui Jim is a well-known, privately owned company who prides themselves on crafting the absolutely best quality polarized sunglasses on the market. If optimal vision is what you're looing for, Maui Jim sunglasses are what you need.

They recently earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV filter for their PolarizedPlus 2 Technology, and their polycarbonate lenses are a great addition. One of the other reasons I love Maui Jim is because of their outstanding customer service and 100% money-back, satisfaction guarantee. 

Where can I buy the Maui Jim Makaha Sunglasses?

Oakley was created for world-class athletes, those who see the limits of possibility as just another challenge. Their dedication drives the brand to look beyond the conventional ideas of industry standards. It's in Oakley's DNA to identify problems, create inventions, and wrap those inventions in art.

The Fuel Cell style is a combination of clean and authentic. It has a smooth look and its originality and authenticity speaks for itself. These sunglasses are widely popular and, although they're not polarized, they are able to be customized with your prescription, which is nice. Overall, this is a great pair of sunglasses for all of your needs.

Where can I buy the Oakley Fuel Cell Sunglasses?

REKS makes a great pair of sunglasses made with lightweight, unbreakable, and high quality polymers to ensure that you have these shades for a long time. The frame material has a rubberized finish that absorbs sweat and enhances grip and comfort, which is pretty cool if you're wearing these for sports.

UV400 polarized lenses ensure that your eyes are protected from glare and 100% of the UVA and UVB light out there. I love this sporty style as well, and I know many people are looking for a similar indestructible style. This may be it!

Where can I buy the REKS Sunglasses?

EuphoricHD Polarized Lenses provide high end quality without the high-end price. Like blinds on a window, these lenses prevent the glare from hitting your eyes. This reduces the eyestrain off water and snow and allows for comfy, happy, relaxed eyes with unobstructed vision. These sunglasses also come in a variety of colors to suit any taste.

The timeless look and feel of this frame seems to capture the feeling of being young and on top of the world. These frames will always be the most important part of the roots of Nectar's company, and they're a constant reminder to live life to the fullest. Also, we love this brand because they partner with The Bee Cause, to help repopulate endangered honey bees in the United States. For every purchase, they donate a portion of profits to this important program. 

Where can I buy The Crux by Nectar?

A favorite of so many of our Southern friends, Costa knows quality and style. Always ready to hit the flats or hook a deep-sea behemoth, the Costa Fantail sunglasses are the perfect size and offer great durability. One of the best polarized sunglasses on the water, these men's performance sport fishing sunglasses with mirrored options are polarized, co-molded and are perfect for any angler.

Costa's 580 Polycarbonate polarized lens provides high clarity, impact- and scratch-resistance along with lightweight all day wear-ability. This co-injected bio-based nylon frame material is both tough and durable, while offering a comfortable fit. I also love that every pair of Costa sunglasses includes a limited lifetime warranty.

Where can I buy the Costa Del Mar Fantail?

Eliminate slippage when sweating and bouncing while running due to the special grip coating and snug, yet featherweight, frame. This pick is perfect for runners or anyone who plays sports such as soccer, tennis, and basketball. These shades feature glare-reducing, polarized lenses with 100% UV protection.

goodr started with the belief that running is fun and your stories and gear should be too. They designed the goodr OGs to look good(r) and stay comfortably on your face whether you're haulin' ass down a mountain trail or drinking beers in a Mexican cantina. If you love style and hate when sunglasses slip down your nose, these are for you.

Where can I buy the goodr OG Sunglasses?

Ocean Polarized Sunglasses are marketed to those who love water sports, and this is a great way to show that they have unbreakable qualities. They are made from lightweight, weatherproof neoprene which is renowned for its outstanding durability, resilience, and comfort. 

Instead of polycarbonate, Ocean uses virtually indestructible Grilamid®. It's an ultra-tough, deceptively lightweight and impact resistant material that will withstand water collisions. These are UV400 polarized and block 100% UVA and UVB rays. If you're into water sports, give them a try! 

Typhoon Optics is for the wearer that demands the most from their sunglasses both in style and function. The resilient frames are engineered for all day comfort. The lenses are polycarbonate and UV protected, ensuring that your eyes are fully protected.

Typhoon lenses are manufactured by a division of Carl Zeiss Optics, and most models are compatible with a prescription from your eye doctor (according to the company - but check with your doctor). The sporty look of these sunglasses is one that many people out there are looking for, and I believe it's a great option for unbreakable sunglasses.

Where can I buy Typhoon Mariner Polarized Sunglasses? 

There's nothing fancy about these bold, hardworking frames—they're just eye-catching. Made of a durable nylon and with sturdy integral hinges, they're as tough as they look. On top of that, they're versatile: they come in five epic colors.

Costa's co-injected bio-based nylon frame material is both tough and durable, while offering a comfortable fit. TR-90 nylon is a premier material for sports and performance frames as it is resistant to heat and cold. Though it is flexible, it is still durable. Nylon is easily molded into Costa's iconic wraparound shape.

Where can I buy Costa Del Mar Saltbreak?

Performance, protection and comfort are sculpted into a new dimension of style with an interchangeable lens design that keeps you a step ahead of changing light conditions. The latest evolution of the coveted Half Jacket sunglasses, these wrap your vision in the razor-sharp clarity of high definition optics.

These boast 100% UV protection and include a specialized feature that decreases slip when you sweat. They're lightweight, polarized, and everything you'd want in an indestructible pair of polarized sunglasses.

Where can I buy the Oakley Half Jacket 2.0?

A versatile sunglasses style with great coverage to suit any face. Polarized lenses and cellulose acetate frames that are natural, BPA-free material, adjustable, strong and lightweight.

They also have incredible blue light blocking glasses to choose from! When blocking the blue light from all of your devices, this means better sleep, increased energy, and better eye protection.

Where can I buy the Henley Sunnies?

We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Having dry, irritated eyes means that you might have insufficient tear production, poor tear quality, itching, burning and redness of the eyes, and other painful and irritating symptoms. Causes vary and can include overuse of the television and other electronics such as cellphones, computers, and tablets, ill-fitting contact lenses, diseases of the glands of the eyelids, and several common disorders which prevent the eyelids from fully closing during sleep. 

For those currently suffering from dry, irritated eyes, a moisturizing sleep mask or a set of sleep goggles could help support healthy eyes and mitigate some of the issues you're facing. Below are a few of the symptoms you may experience with dry, irritated eyes, so you can know if you may benefit from a pair of moisture chamber goggles or glasses:

• Red eyes
• Irritation and burning
• Eye fatigue or tired eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Difficulty seeing to drive at night
• Pain or aching feeling in the eyes
• Fluctuations between watery eyes and dryness
• Intolerance to contact lenses
• Sensation that something is in the eyes

Moisture chamber goggles are usually fitted with foam contours to adhere perfectly to the face, creating a safe, non-abrasive seal to keep in moisture. All major brands are adjustable for fit, and the moisturizing pads that sometimes come with the glasses can be inserted into the lenses and sized to accommodate the depth of the eye socket. The benefits they provide include:

• Sealing eyes off from air and contaminants
• Keeping the tear film intact overnight
• Helping eyes stay closed during sleep
• Preventing unconscious rubbing and scratching of the eyes during sleep
• Blocking out wind, insects, and flying debris while outdoors

The delicate pressure exerted by a pair of well-fitted moisturizing goggles helps to fully close the eyes at night and, depending on the pair chosen, helps shield the eyes from dirt, wind, dust, and other particles while working or exercising outside.

Moisture chamber glasses worn at night may help your eyes function better during the day and may help safeguard against some eye issues.

Some people find that moisture chamber spectacles may be helpful for exercising or working outdoors as well, especially during activities such as running or biking, mowing the lawn, and working in the garden.

There are several leading brands of moisture chamber sleep masks and goggles. They all provide different benefits for your eyes and vision, and we'll discuss these benefits in detail.

This includes one pair of Tranquileyes goggles, as well as both bead packs for cold compress and instant gel packs for optimum moist heat. These goggles can help provide natural nighttime eye support, sheltering the eyes from drafts, dust, and low humidity environments while also offering both contained moist head and refreshing cool compression.

This pair of sleep moisture goggles gently shelters eyes from CPAP air leaks, air drafts and low humidity environments while creating a moisture rich environment. They're lightweight and comfortable, and the Eyeseals 4.0 hydrating sleep mask is clear, allowing you to wake up to daylight if you wish.

The mask is hypoallergenic, latex-free and made in the USA. It's recommended for nighttime use in patients that have issues with their eyelids fully closing at night. They may also be beneficial for those who deal with persistent erosions of the cornea.  This pair of goggles is great for air travel, since the dry environment in the airplane can be super uncomfortable for most with irritated eyes.

You may be wondering how this one made the list, but it's due to the versatility of this mask. This reusable eye mask not only provides effective warm and cold  for the eyes, but is also super comfortable and relaxing to use. Use this mask as a warm compress by placing it in the microwave for 20 seconds, use it as a cold compress by placing it in the freezer for 2 hours, or wear it overnight if you wish. It even comes with a removable cover that you can just throw in your washing machine!

Dealing with irritated eyes can be a pain. The symptoms are pretty common in the U.S! Waking every morning with burning, itchy, red eyes that are overly sensitive to light is no fun, so we're here to give you a few tips to help support your eye health when this occurs.

If the symptoms are intermittent or associated with a changing season or new activities in your life, then make some lifestyle adjustments based on what you think may be causing the problem. If that doesn’t help within a few weeks, see an eye care specialist.

If, however, the symptoms have been with you for a while, or you know the reason for them because you have a diagnosis from an eye doctor, then do some research or check with your optometrist about possible treatments or lifestyle changes that might lessen the effects.

If you didn’t know already, eyelid inflammation is often caused by staph, which is a bacterial infection on the eyelids. As the body tries to fight the infection, toxins are released into the system and those toxins often try to exit the system through the eye tissues. At night, when your eyes are shut, the toxins build up on your eyelids and cause extreme irritation and pain on the surface of your eyes. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to support healthier eyelids.

1. Drink a full glass of water just before you go to bed, and keep a bottle of water near your bed to enjoy if you wake during the night. This will hydrate your entire system, which may help your eyes stay lubricated longer. Don't forget to drink an entire glass of water right when you wake up as well. We recommend keeping a reusable water bottle, such as this one, with you at all times throughout your day. Fill it with filtered water and enjoy. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day, so if you weigh 150 pounds, that's 75 ounces of water you should be drinking each day. The reusable bottle will help remind you!

2. Keep your eyelids clean by using an eyelid cleanser before going to bed and upon waking up. We recommend the Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser right when waking up and right before going to bed. Click here to check price and purchase on Amazon. 

To use this spray, simply spray the solution onto a cotton ball or round before applying. There's no need to rinse this solution off.

We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The tear film that coats the front of the eye is very complex and contains three important layers. The outer layer of the tear film is oily, produced by special glands (meibomian glands) within the eyelid, and this serves to prevent evaporation of the salt water middle layer.  Meibomian gland dysfunction occurs when these oil glands are not producing oil or the oil is to thick to release, therefore causing dry eye disease.  The salt water middle layer comes from the aqueous gland which is located in the upper, lateral part of your eyelid.  Sjogren's is the most common cause of a problem with this layer.  The inner layer is made of mucus secreted from cells onto the front surface of the eye and is important in helping the salt water layer spread evenly across the front of the eye.

Blinking spreads the tears across the front of the eye while also causing excess tears to be pushed out of a drainage system that leads from the inner corner of the eyelids into the nose.  This drainage system starts at the puncta, which are two small holes in the upper and lower eyelids by the nose, runs through the nasolacrimal duct, and then drains into your nose.  This is why your nose starts to run when your eyes are watering.  

Dry eye disease is a condition that has many causes, and they are different for everyone. You may be able to pinpoint your one cause, while someone else suffers from dry eyes due to multiple variables.  The commonality between most of these dry eye causes is inflammation.  Almost all disease is caused from inflammation, and the causes listed below usually result in inflammation.   

Without further adieu, here are the 17 most common dry eye cause.

Dry eye disease is heavily associated with aging. Many people over the age of 65 suffer from at least a few symptoms of dry eye, including occasional irritation or redness. 

This is usually a hormone driven change and most commonly occurs after menopause.  

In some cases, poor tear quality and reduced tear quantity have no specific causes and are simply due to the aging process. Aging affects the meibomian glands which can atrophy over time or it can affect the  lacrimal gland's ability to make tears, so dry eye is very common as you get older.

The shift in hormones during pregnancy can contribute to dry eye. Excess estrogen is usually to blame, although excess progesterone that your body is not used to having around may also be a culprit.

More often than not, we find that those who are pregnant often suffer from dry eye symptoms, although there area select few lucky ladies whose eyes actually feel better!

Skin issues such as eczema or an allergic rash can lead to dry eyes. The skin of the eyelids is very delicate and susceptible to skin diseases that may be present on other parts of your body.

It all boils down to inflammation, and if you have inflamed skin on or around your eyelids, you're more likely to notice inflammation in your eyes as well.

The skin condition rosacea is also a major cause of dry eyes, and it can lead to ocular rosacea (often due to meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD). Click here to read more about ocular rosacea.

Dry eyes are a temporary side effect of laser eye surgery, in most cases, and many of you have surely seen news stories covering people who have suffered from dry eyes and extreme, boring pain after having LASIK or another refractive surgical procedure.

This is exactly why we rarely recommend refractive surgery and, if we do, we ensure that the patient does not have any signs or symptoms of dry eye disease to begin with.

Refractive surgery disrupts the corneal nerves and, although they regenerate in most people, there are those in which the nerves never heal back the way they are supposed to. These people can experience not only dry eyes but neuropathic pain as well, and this can cause them to experience pain due to stimuli that would normally not cause pain.

If you're thinking about having LASIK, PRK, or a similar procedure, think twice.

Common allergies can create dry eyes, and this is because allergies can lead to inflammation of the eyes and really disrupt the natural, healthy surface of the conjunctiva (and cornea, in some cases).

Allergies most often lead to itching, irritation, redness, and watery discharge that is often confused with dry eyes. In fact, you may even have both allergies and dry eyes, which can complicate matters even more. In addition to this, medications used to combat allergies (which we'll discuss in more depth below) can lead to dry eyes.

Damaged tear glands (lacrimal glands) may produce an insufficient amount of tears or poor quality tears. Damage to the lacrimal glands, which normally produce the watery portion of your tears, can occur due to a few things. Aging is the most common, but chemotherapy and inflammation from certain diseases can lead to damaged lacrimal glands.

Autoimmune disease, such as Sjogren's syndrome, is one of the most common diseases which can cause issues with the tear glands and lead to aqueous deficient dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease is a common side effect of many medications, including antihistamines and decongestants (used for allergies and sinus issues) and blood pressure medications such as beta blockers. Other medications that can cause dry eyes include retinoids (like Accutane), medications for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Click here to learn more about all the medications that can cause dry eyes.

This can be difficult, because you often cannot just discontinue your medications, especially those for heart conditions. You'll want to speak with your doctor and try to find other options for treatment which do not have dry eyes as a side effect.

As far as allergies go, try to limit the amount of antihistamines and decongestants you take. Only take them when necessary, and consider using antihistamine eye drops instead, as these only need to be used once or twice per day but can be effective for clearing allergic symptoms in both the eyes and nose.

Also, try to get off the medications by working with your doctor on ways to do this.  This is exactly what we talk about in our book Rethinking Dry Eye Treatment.  If you work on putting the pieces in place that we discuss in this book you can usually start to wean off all medications eventually.  Some are harder than others, and you should always work with your doctor when doing this.  

Common environmental conditions can easily lead to an increase in tear evaporation. A few common examples of this include overhead fans in your bedroom or place of work, desktop fans, air conditioners and heaters (even in the car!), and natural wind while outdoors.

Try to limit the amount of time you use fans, if you use them at all, and never point them toward your face. If you use a fan for the noise at night, purchase a white noise machine instead. If you must be around wind in any form, consider using moisture chamber goggles to prevent dry eyes.

We also recommend the Dyson fan, due to its reduced wind disruption technology that makes it a lot less irritating to those who suffer from dry eye.  Check it out here!

Being around smoke can an increase in tear evaporation and, often, an increase in inflammation. Smoke from cigarettes and campfires are likely the most common you'll come into contact with. 

If you're a smoker or live with someone who is, this could be the cause of your dry eyes. No only dues smoking increase the evaporation rate of your tears, but it also increases inflammation in your body (even if it's secondhand). Smoking is one of the worst habits you could have, so now's the time to quit!

If you're going to be around a camp fire or other fire, consider wearing wrap around sunglasses or goggles to prevent smoke from coming into contact with your eyes.

This is typical of people who read a lot or look at computer monitors for their jobs. Anything that causes a disruption of blinking, such as staring at a computer, the wind, and blowing fans, can compromise the tear film and lead to dryness.

When we read or look at a computer, we automatically blink less than normal. This leads to an increase in the evaporation rate of the tears and leaves you with minimal tear coverage on the front of your eyes. 

To combat this, practice the 20-20-20 Rule. Every 20 minutes of near or computer work, look 20 feet away for a t least 20 seconds. It'll give you a break and lead to a healthier tear film! Click here to find out how to perform the 20-20-20 Rule.

Also check out a pair of blue light blocking glasses while you work on the computer.  It will help reduce eye strain and also help you sleep much better which is both great ways to reduce dry eyes.  

A lack of some key vitamins or an excess of vitamins can cause dry eyes. I know this is confusing, but vitamin A is a great example. A deficiency in vitamin A, which is common in underdeveloped countries, can lead to dry eyes.

Alternatively, excess vitamin A (especially in the form of Accutane and other retinoids) can actually destroy your meibomian glands. These glands are the oil factories for your tear film and, without them, you'll have no oil to lubricate and spread the tears over your eyes.

Other vitamins and minerals that are important for the eyes include magnesium, the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can click here to find out the best vitamins and minerals for dry eyes.

This can lead to loss of sensation on the cornea and dry eyes as a result. You may love wearing your contact lenses! But the reality is that long term use can lead to dry eye symptoms. 

Rigid gas permeable lenses are the most common lenses to cause dry eyes, due to their effect on the corneal nerves over time. However, even soft contact lenses can cause issues. Contact lenses, in general, cause an increase in evaporation of the tear film as well, so you're likely to experience more dry eye symptoms when you wear your contact lenses than when you wear your glasses.

Find out the best contact lenses for dry eyes here.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the front of the eye, is a major cause of dry eyes and many may find that they experience dry eyes long after the conjunctivitis has been treated and resolved.

We've already discussed inflammation, but it plays a large role in dry eyes. When your eyes are inflamed, you'll experience irritation, redness, burning, and other symptoms. The best way to fight inflammation is to prevent it in the first place with a regular eyelid hygiene regimen and a healthy, antioxidant-rich diet.

The major shift in hormones that women experience can cause dry eyes. This is similar to pregnancy, except this time you'll experience a rapid decline in estrogen. 

When hormones fluctuate or decline quickly, dry eyes can occur, and this is just the product of changing hormones. Some women may find that HRT can be helpful during this time, but you may find that it's not.

Everyone is different, but every woman can benefit from a few simple lifestyle changes which can make menopause a much more pleasant experience.

Click here to learn how to have a better experience during menopause.

 Dry eyes are more common in women than in men, and this is likely a product of fluctuating hormones throughout life. Women's hormones often fluctuate on a daily basis, and you may find that one day you feel great while the next you feel awful.

The best way to combat these fluctuating hormones again is a plant-based alkalizing diet and hydration!

Ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems are commonly linked to dry eye disease. Usually, autoimmune conditions are a big culprit because they cause your body to attack itself in ways that are often difficult to fight.

Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid conditions, diabetes, rosacea, and other inflammatory conditions can lead to inflammation of the eyes because there is inflammation going on throughout the body.

Again these are all inflammatory based, and the most common cause of inflammation is the food we put in our body.  Our book Rethinking Dry Eye Treatment helps you tackle the anti-inflammatory diet and gives you a step by step guide.

Blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelids, or an inward or outward turning of the eyelids, can lead to dry eyes. Blepharitis most often occurs due to an oversupply of bacteria on the eyelids and lashes, and it may occur due to demodex eyelash mites.  Read more about blepharitis and its treatments here. 

Also, when the eyelids do not position against the eyes correctly (turning too far in or out), you end up with tears that do not drain properly, whether too quickly or not at all.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is where the meibomian glands, which are the oil glands that are responsible for the outer layer of tears, do not perform properly.  This can lead to your tears evaporating quicker and more problems with watery eyes and dry eyes.  Click here to read more about MGD.

Dry eyes can range from a mild dry eye surface to a very disrupted, poor tear film. The person suffering from dry eyes might experience excessive tearing or eye-watering as the tear gland tries to resolve the dry eye condition itself, over-producing unwanted, low-quality tears in an attempt to coat the eye.

When the tear levels are low, the eye senses burning and grittiness. Itching and discomfort can also be signs of dry eyes. As the condition worsens, the eyes can become continually red, and vision can become blurry. Reflexive tears are released in an attempt to combat these issues, but instead they leave you with nothing but watery eyes.

Do you have dry eye? What do you suspect or know to be the cause for you?