What Increases Eye Tear Production? Your Guide to Healthier Tears

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, a significant percentage of the population suffers from dry eye disease, which can be linked to decreased tear production. Learning what increases eye tear production can be the first step toward finding relief and improving your overall eye comfort and health.

Quick Summary

Several factors, including intentional blinking, proper hydration, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, and lifestyle changes like using humidifiers, can increase tear production. In more severe cases, prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other medical interventions may be necessary to restore adequate tear volume and quality.

Key Points

Blink More Frequently: Conscious, complete blinking is crucial, especially during screen use, to spread tears evenly and prevent evaporation.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Right: Drinking plenty of water and consuming a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, and other nutrients supports overall tear quality and quantity.
Optimize Your Environment: Using a humidifier and avoiding environmental irritants like wind, smoke, and air conditioning can reduce tear evaporation.
Improve Sleep Quality: Poor sleep is linked to reduced tear production and unstable tear film; prioritizing rest is vital for eye health.
Utilize Medical Treatments: Options range from over-the-counter artificial tears for immediate relief to prescription drops and in-office procedures for more severe cases.

The Science Behind Tear Production

Your eyes produce tears to stay lubricated and healthy. A healthy tear film has three distinct layers that work together to protect the eye's surface.

Mucin layer: The inner layer, produced by goblet cells in the conjunctiva, helps spread tears evenly across the eye.
Aqueous layer: The thickest layer, produced by the lacrimal glands, provides moisture and nourishes the cornea. This is the watery part of the tear.
Lipid (oil) layer: The outer layer, secreted by the meibomian glands in the eyelids, seals the tear film and prevents the watery layer from evaporating too quickly.

Problems with any of these layers can lead to dry eye disease. Therefore, increasing tear production means either producing more watery tears (aqueous) or improving the quality of the oily and mucin layers to maintain tear film stability.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Boost Tears

Making small, conscious changes to your daily habits can have a big impact on your eyes.

Blink More Intentionally

When you stare at a computer screen, read, or drive for long periods, your blink rate naturally decreases. This allows your tears to evaporate faster. Making a conscious effort to blink fully and frequently can help. A good practice is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to reset your eyes and increase blinking.

Optimize Your Environment

Your surroundings can significantly affect your tear film's stability. Dry air, wind, and smoke can all accelerate tear evaporation. Consider these tips:

Use a humidifier in your home or office, especially during dry winter months.
Avoid sitting directly in front of fans, air conditioners, or heaters.
Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind and debris.
Steer clear of smoke from cigarettes or other sources.

Prioritize Quality Sleep

Research indicates a strong connection between poor sleep and dry eye symptoms. When you don't get enough sleep, your body's hormone levels can interfere with normal tear production. Aim for 7-9 hours of consistent, quality sleep per night to allow your eyes to recover and replenish their protective tear film.

Practice Good Eyelid Hygiene

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which causes poor-quality oily tears, is a common cause of dry eye. Regular eyelid cleaning and the use of warm compresses can help unclog these glands and improve tear quality.

Dietary and Hydration Strategies

What you consume plays a critical role in your eye health, including tear production.

Stay Adequately Hydrated

Since tears are 98% water, proper hydration is fundamental for healthy tear production. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Consuming hydrating foods like cucumbers and watermelon can also contribute to your overall fluid intake.

Increase Your Omega-3 Intake

Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can improve tear quality and reduce symptoms of dry eye. Excellent dietary sources include:

Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel)
Flaxseeds
Walnuts
Chia seeds

For those who don't consume enough through diet, high-quality Omega-3 supplements are also an option.

Focus on Key Vitamins and Minerals

Essential nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc all play a role in maintaining the health of your ocular surface and supporting tear production. Foods like carrots, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and nuts can help ensure you get these vital nutrients.

Medical Interventions for Persistent Dry Eye

If lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments aren't enough, your eye doctor may recommend medical treatments.

Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

Artificial tears are a popular and effective first-line treatment for mild to moderate dry eye. There are many types and brands available. Some, like Systane Ultra, may be better for aqueous tear deficiency, while others, like Soothe XP, target lipid layer instability. Preservative-free drops are often recommended for frequent use.

Prescription Medications

For dry eye caused by inflammation, prescription eye drops can help increase tear production. Examples include Restasis (cyclosporine) and Xiidra (lifitegrast). These target the underlying inflammatory process affecting the lacrimal glands.

In-Office Procedures

For more severe cases, an eye doctor might perform a procedure. Punctal plugs, for instance, are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage and keep natural tears on the eye longer. Other treatments, like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, can be used for MGD to address inflammation and improve meibomian gland function.

Comparison of Treatment Options


Approach	Severity	Effort	Effectiveness
Lifestyle Habits	Mild to Moderate	Moderate (requires consistency)	Can significantly improve symptoms for many people.
Dietary Changes	Mild to Moderate	Moderate (requires diet modifications)	Supports overall eye health and can reduce inflammation.
OTC Eye Drops	Mild to Moderate	Low to Moderate (consistent use)	Provides immediate relief and lubrication for minor dryness.
Prescription Meds	Moderate to Severe	Moderate (requires doctor's visit, consistent use)	Targets underlying inflammation to restore natural tears.
Punctal Plugs	Moderate to Severe	Low (requires a quick office procedure)	Conserves existing tears for prolonged moisture.

When to See a Doctor

While many strategies can be managed at home, it is important to consult an eye care professional if your symptoms persist or worsen. A comprehensive eye exam can help determine the underlying cause of your dry eye, whether it is related to an autoimmune disease, medications, or other factors. A doctor can then recommend a personalized treatment plan that is most effective for you.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Eye Health

Increasing eye tear production is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a multi-pronged approach that addresses both your habits and any underlying medical conditions. By combining proactive lifestyle adjustments and smart dietary choices, many people can find significant relief. For persistent or severe dryness, medical intervention offers advanced, targeted solutions. Taking charge of your eye health with these strategies can help maintain comfortable, clear vision for years to come. For more in-depth information on eye conditions and treatments, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is a trusted resource.

For more information on eye conditions, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Decreased tear production can be caused by aging, certain medications (like antihistamines and decongestants), hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases (like Sjogren's syndrome), and prolonged screen use leading to reduced blinking.

When you focus on tasks like using a computer, your blink rate slows down, causing tears to evaporate. Intentional blinking exercises, such as the 20-20-20 rule, help stimulate the lacrimal glands and spread a fresh tear film over the eye's surface.

Yes, diet plays a significant role. A diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids helps improve the quality of your tears by reducing inflammation, while adequate hydration is essential as tears are primarily water.

For immediate relief, over-the-counter artificial tears are effective. However, for chronic dry eye caused by inflammation, prescription eye drops containing cyclosporine or lifitegrast may be necessary to increase tear production. Your doctor can determine the best option.

Humidifiers help by adding moisture to the air, which slows down the evaporation of your natural tears. This is especially helpful in dry indoor environments and can significantly improve comfort.

Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts, which are small drainage holes in your eyelids. By blocking these ducts, the plugs prevent tears from draining too quickly, conserving your natural tears and keeping your eyes moist for longer periods.

Yes, poor or insufficient sleep is strongly linked to dry eye symptoms. Lack of sleep can disrupt tear secretion and alter tear film stability, causing dryness and irritation.