​Anti-Inflammatory Drops – Inflammation on the surface of the eye can disrupt healthy tear production and worsen dry eye symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drops work by calming irritation and reducing inflammatory signals to improve comfort and tear film health. For example, corticosteroid eye drops, such as Lotemax, are often used short-term to quickly reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation during dry eye flare-ups.

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Immunomodulating Drops – Immunomodulatory eye drops work by calming down chronic inflammation on the surface of the eye and helping restore healthier tear production over time. In many dry eye patients, inflammation disrupts the tear film and damages the glands and ocular surface, creating a cycle of irritation, burning, redness, and fluctuating vision. These prescription drops block the inflammatory signals involved in dry eye disease. Examples include Xiidra and cyclosporines such as Vevye and Restasis.

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Tear-Stimulating – Tear-stimulating therapies help treat dry eye by activating the body’s natural tear reflex rather than simply adding artificial lubrication. Tryptyr, an eyedrop that contains acoltremon, activates the cool-sensing nerve receptors on the eye's surface, thus stimulating the trigeminal nerve pathway to increase tear production. There is even a nose spray that stimulates the nerves in the nose to trigger tear production through the neurostimulation pathway. These therapies focus on restoring the eye’s own tear production system rather than primarily reducing inflammation.

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Anti-Evaporative Drops – Some newer therapies are designed specifically to reduce tear evaporation by supporting the eye’s natural lipid layer. For example, Miebo helps form a protective layer over the tear film, reducing moisture loss and improving comfort in patients with evaporative dry eye disease.

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Antiparasitic Drops – Medications used to treat eye or eyelid conditions caused by parasites or microscopic organisms. In eye care, they are most commonly used for Demodex blepharitis, a condition where tiny Demodex mites infest the eyelash follicles and oil glands of the eyelids.

These drops work by killing or disabling the parasites, helping reduce inflammation, irritation, itching, redness, crusting, and debris around the eyelashes. Unlike artificial tears or standard dry-eye medications, antiparasitic drops target the underlying organism causing the problem.

One of the best-known prescription antiparasitic eye drops is Xdemvy, which contains lotilaner. It works by disrupting the nervous systems of Demodex mites, leading to paralysis and the parasites' death.