How do you deal with dry eyes?

I have chronic dry eye syndrome after multiple eye surgeries. My ophthalmologist prescribed Systane eye drops, and only Systane. I have used the preservative free drops and the regular ones. I eventually figured out you do not need to prop up the preservative free ones. The cap you twist off fits right back on. This keeps them from leaking out as well as more fresh throughout the day.

During my last flare of severe dry eye, my ophthalmologist recommended that I only use the Systane preservative free individual applicators. You twist off the top and use it once, then discard. There’s about 30 in a box. I normally prop it up and use throughout the day. It’s still pricey. And, night time ointment. Also, preservative free, but in a tube. Very expensive as well, imo. And, not covered by insurance. At least with my diabetic costs, I get credit for it.

Hi,
I was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome with unknown cause.
I was perscribed Restasis and was on it for twelve years.
My family dr retired and now have a Nurse Practioner who is concerned to refill because she worries about the long term effect. However, it is not a steroid. It is an immunosuppressive. So I am not sure what to think.
I have an eye mask pad that I heat up in microwave for 30 seconds and leave only for 10 minutes on my eyes every morning and night .
Also I use tear gel at night because it has a thicker consistency .
Throughout the day I use hydrosense, refresh, or systane whatever I have on hand.
I find the heat eye pad mask helps.
I find it interesting from a comment above about acupuncture. I have never had this to treat dry eyes.
I do have an acupuncture treatment weekly for something else and get good relief.
I will now consider it for dry eyes.
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas💕

I tried acupuncture (20 treatments, twice a day for 10 days). The acupuncturist said it was a protocol developed in France to treat eye conditions. Unfortunately, it did not work, and the treatments were expensive, almost $4,000.

Find a doctor who specializes in dry eye. Here, I found them at Duke. Finding the right drops is a crap shoot. Also, be careful choosing lenses for cataract surgery as some make dry eye worse. There are treatments like LipiFlow and Blephex that help, though insurance doesn't usually cover these. It is fairly typical for people to lose fluid as they age. Punctal plugs might stem fluid loss. You have other issues is your Meibomium glands, which control the oil, are dysfunctional. The best supplement for dry eye is GLA, gamma linoleic acid, which is--what else--a blood thinner.