How do you deal with dry eyes?

Ok. I think I have the prescription. I just haven’t gotten it filled due to the cost, but I’ll figure a way to get it.

Good luck! I think I actually have saved money because I only need them twice a day.

I’ve spent a fortune on Systane drops and ointment. That’s for sure. That stuff is super pricy.

I have glaucoma and have had 5 "under-the-knife" surgeries, plus some laser surgeries before that. I am in my 50s. I use the Refresh preservative free drops in the little vials as needed. Rarely do I use the nighttime OTC ointment, but it works great when I do! It can be spendy, though.
The effects of the surgeries along with the daily glaucoma eye drops, do make my eyes dry. But, I can usually manage it using the OTC items that my eyes "like". My former Mayo ophthalmologist, Dr. Bitrian, said, "Your eyes will tell you what they like (as far as lubricating drops)." I don't like the drops in the bottle with the preservative. They don't work as well for me. I also find that OTC 12-hour Sudafed can, not only dry out my sinuses, but also my eyes. So, I try to use that medication only as needed. I have often wondered if prescription dry eye drops can be used for a glaucoma patient, such as myself, or if they would be contraindicated?? It's a question for my doc at the next appointment.

I asked my Mayo doc at my last appointment if she could "throw me a bone," and give me some free samples of nighttime eye ointment. She said as a non-profit organization, Mayo cannot do that.

It's so sad, but, a lot of doctor's offices do not give out samples anymore. It certainly saved us all a lot of money to "try before we buy" something if it worked. That was "back in the day!" BTW, Systane Complete puts out a PF (Preservative Free) Formula that works great. I battle dry eyes and they got drier after cataract surgery. I have been on Restasis for years along with Systane and after cataract surgery, it wasn't working as well. I got the punctum plugs (SP?) inserted and the Collagen ones have worked great. The silicone plugs came out after about 2 months and were not as comfortable. I am still on Restasis twice a day and Systane Complete twice a day (better than 5-6 times a day!) and my eyes are comfortable. Praying and God Bless.

I have dry eyes and was recommended to get the eye pads, sort of a warm compress on the eyes. Then you are to massage the eyelid and under the eye gently to encourage oils (I didn't even know eyes had oils before this) to come out. The heating supposedly helps the oil liquefy and drain better. It works and feels so good!

I can’t recall if I posted on this thread about seeing a new med for dry eye that is in the form of a nasal spray. I saw a commercial for it on tv. It’s called Tyrvaya. Have you tried it?

I’ve never tried it. And, I spend a lot of money on drops and ointments. I’ve never gotten any free samples. This nasal spray would be less expensive that plasma drops, if my insurance will cover it.

I use restasis and Xiidra and use systane complete as needed. Helps some .

Hopefully your insurance is better than mine, with my Medicare and supplemental insurance the Tyrvaya was $450 a month.
I contacted my eye doctor’s office the first time I saw the Tyrvaya commercial and did the Rx spray for 3 months with possibly some improvement.
After seeing an Ophthalmologist at Mayo I’m trying Autologous Serum drops. After only 5 days my eyes do feel better, I'm hopeful for continued improvement.