Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Oct. 28, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36152
Entity Registrant Name	Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-3109565
Entity Address, Street Address	4301 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 400
Entity Address, City	Durham
Entity Address, State	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	27703
City Area Code	919
Local Phone Number	237-5300
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	AERI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		49,417,407
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity CIK	0001337553
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31