But it can also be caused by use of some prescription and nonprescription drugs, by eye infection or injury, or by a certain type of arthritis. Your primary care doctor or ophthalmologist can help determine the cause and best treatment of the problem. Unfortunately, there is no way to increase production of tears. You can buy artificial tears in a drugstore without a prescription and can use them as often as necessary to make your eyes feel better. Those that do not contain preservatives are recommended.
Eye ointments are available too.
Ointments keep your eyes moist longer than drops, so many patients use them before they go to bed. To put medication in your eyes, first wash your hands. Then pull your lower eyelid down with a fingertip. Squeeze a drop or a short strip of ointment into the lower lid. Close your eye for a few seconds to let the medication absorb.