Dry Eye & Occasional Dry Eye: How to Support Comfortable Eyes
Dry eye, sometimes referred to as occasional dry eye, is a common eye health issue that can leave eyes feeling dry, irritated, tired, or gritty. While symptoms vary from person to person, many individuals experience discomfort that impacts daily activities like screen use, reading, or driving. Understanding what contributes to dry eye and how to support overall eye comfort can help you take proactive steps toward relief.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Tears play an important role in keeping the surface of the eye comfortable and clear. Environmental factors like dry air and windy conditions, extended screen time, contact lens wear, and normal aging can all contribute to occasional dry eye symptoms.Common Signs of Occasional Dry Eye
People with dry eye may experience dryness, burning or stinging sensations, irritation, redness, watery eyes, blurred vision that improves with blinking, or a gritty sensation. These symptoms may come and go and often worsen with prolonged visual tasks or dry environments.Who Are We?
PRN, EyePromise, and Avenova are part of PRN Vision Group (PVG), a trusted provider of a complete line of eye care products designed to support eye comfort and overall eye health. PVG products are recommended by more than 8,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists, with that number continuing to grow. All PVG products are designed, formulated, and developed by doctors with the goal of supporting eye comfort and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to eye irritation and distress.
Our approach is rooted in science, quality manufacturing, and collaboration with eye care professionals. By focusing on education and evidence-based solutions, PRN Vision Group aims to support patients with products that fit naturally into daily eye care routines.
What Does The Science Say? (TL;DR)
Dry eye and occasional dry eye are influenced by multiple factors, and research consistently shows that eye comfort is best supported through a comprehensive approach. Scientific consensus and clinical studies highlight the importance of nutritional support, eyelid and lash hygiene, and strategies that help stabilize the tear film and reduce evaporation as key components of maintaining a comfortable ocular surface. Together, these approaches support the natural balance of the tear film and overall eye comfort when used as part of a consistent daily routine. Want to dive deeper into the science behind these approaches?
Scroll to the end of this page to explore the detailed research and clinical studies that support these recommendations. (...or click here)
Ways to Support Eye Comfort
Managing dry eye often involves supporting the eyes from multiple angles. This includes maintaining lid and lash hygiene, using warm compresses to support tear function, and nourishing the body with nutrients that help support healthy tear production.Lid & Lash Hygiene
Keeping the eyelids and lashes clean can help reduce the buildup of debris and bacteria that may contribute to eye irritation. Gentle cleansing is an important part of a daily eye care routine for those experiencing occasional dryness. |
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Nutritional Support for Eye Hydration
Nutrition also plays a role in supporting eye comfort. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used to help support healthy tear production and overall eye hydration. When supplementing Omega-3s, it’s important to look for the following:rTG form of Omega-3s; they absorb up to 3x better than other forms.
More than 2000mg of Omega-3s, not just fish oil. These are the critical fatty acids needed for healthy tears.
A 3:1 EPA to DHA ratio, which has been clinically demonstrated to improve signs and symptoms of dry eye.
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Moisture Chamber Support
Moisture chamber eyewear is commonly used to help support eye comfort by reducing tear evaporation. By creating a protective seal around the eyes, these products help maintain a humid environment that can be especially beneficial during sleep or in dry environments. |
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Products That Support Eye Comfort*
The following products are designed to support eye comfort for individuals experiencing occasional dry eye.Best Option: De3® Omega Benefits Supplements
These Omega-3 supplements are formulated to support healthy tear production and overall eye hydration. Omega-3s are commonly used as part of a daily routine to help maintain comfortable eyes. |
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Also Great: EZ Tears™ Omega 3 Supplements
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Best Option: EyeEco® EyeSeals® 4.0
EyeEco EyeSeals 4.0 are moisture chamber goggles designed to support eye comfort by helping reduce tear evaporation. They are often used overnight or in dry environments as part of a routine to help maintain eye hydration and comfort. |
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Also Great: Eye Eco Tranquileyes Mini Sleep Eye Mask
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Best: Avenova® Lid & Lash Cleanser
Avenova is an ultra-pure and gentle hypochlorous acid lid and lash cleansing spray designed to support eyelid and lash hygiene. Regular use can help maintain a clean ocular surface as part of a daily eye care routine. |
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Also Great: EyeLove Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser
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A Simple Daily Routine
For many people, supporting eye comfort may involve a simple routine: cleansing the lids and lashes, using a warm compress as needed, and incorporating nutritional support into daily wellness habits. Consistency is key, and individual needs may vary.If you have persistent or severe symptoms, it is important to consult an eye care professional to determine the best approach for your individual needs.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. *
What Does The Science Say? (Long Version)
Occasional dry eye is a multifactorial condition, and research consistently shows that supporting eye comfort requires addressing nutrition, eyelid hygiene, and tear stability together.
Nutritional Support and Tear Health
Scientific consensus and clinical research support the role of targeted nutritional supplementation in supporting eye comfort. The TFOS DEWS II and DEWS III Management and Therapy Reports recognize Omega‑3 fatty acids as a valuable component of a multifactorial approach to managing occasional dry eye.¹ Clinical and investigational studies evaluating oral re‑esterified triglyceride (rTG) Omega‑3 supplementation have demonstrated improvements in tear stability, ocular surface markers, and patient‑reported comfort.²˒³ Additionally, absorption research has shown that Omega‑3s in triglyceride form are more efficiently absorbed than ethyl ester forms, supporting the use of rTG Omega‑3 formulations when considering nutritional support for tear health.⁴Sources
¹ Jones L, et al. TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report. American Journal of Ophthalmology.
² Smith et al. Investigational Study of 3:1 rTG Omega‑3 Supplementation.
³ Epitropoulos A, et al. Effect of Oral Re‑esterified Omega‑3 Nutritional Supplementation on Dry Eyes. Cornea. 2016;35:1185‑1191.
⁴ Lawson LD, Hughes BG. Absorption of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid from Fish Oil Triacylglycerols or Ethyl Esters. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 1988.
Lid & Lash Hygiene and Ocular Surface Comfort
Scientific literature supports the importance of eyelid and lash hygiene in maintaining a healthy ocular surface. Studies evaluating hypochlorous acid (HOCl) have demonstrated its ability to significantly reduce bacterial load on ocular skin while remaining well tolerated for regular use.¹ In addition, patient‑reported outcomes have shown improvements in eye comfort and irritation when HOCl‑based hygiene solutions are incorporated into daily routines.² Research has also demonstrated that HOCl‑based lid cleansers can reduce bacterial lipase activity, an enzyme known to disrupt tear film stability, further supporting the role of targeted lid hygiene in promoting ocular surface comfort.³Sources
¹ Stroman DW. Reduction in Bacterial Load Using Hypochlorous Acid Hygiene Solution on Ocular Skin. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2017;11:1–8.
² Kern JR. Dry Eye Patients Report Improvement in Symptoms with Hypochlorous Acid Use Over 30 Days. 2019.
³ Epstein A, Pang L, Najafi‑Tagol K, Najafi R, Stroman DW, Debabov D. Comparison of Bacterial Lipase Activity in the Presence of Eye Lid Cleansers. ARVO 2015.
Reducing Tear Evaporation
Scientific consensus identifies tear evaporation and tear film instability as key contributors to eye discomfort. The TFOS DEWS II Executive Summary describes dry eye as a loss of tear film homeostasis, with increased evaporation playing a central role in symptom development.¹ Building on this foundation, the TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report reinforces the importance of tear conservation strategies that help stabilize the tear film and reduce environmental exposure, supporting overall ocular surface comfort as part of a multifactorial approach.²Sources
¹ Craig JP, et al. TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary. The Ocular Surface. 2017.
² Jones L, et al. TFOS DEWS III Management and Therapy Report. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2025.
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