My eyes were often gritty and dry, so I had been using artificial tears, but I went to the ophthalmologist for a proper diagnosis. I thought it was because my job required me to look at screens for long periods of time, but after getting tested, I was diagnosed with dry eye and prescribed medication. During the consultation, the doctor thoroughly checked my eyes and explained the difference between over-the-counter and prescription artificial tears, which helped me understand better. He prescribed the right type of artificial tears for my symptoms and advised me to use them as often as possible when my eyes felt dry. I tried using prescribed artificial tears, and they definitely helped keep my eyes moisturized for longer and less tired. If you get a prescription from an ophthalmologist, the price is significantly cheaper, so keep that in mind when purchasing.