I have severely dry eyes due to Lupus and Crohn's Disease. Both from the disease process themselves and the medications I take to treat them. I have tried all sorts of over the counter drops to begin with without any success at all. At one point my eyes were so bad they ended up having to put plugs in my tear ducts to relieve the dryness because it had caused so much advanced irritation to my eyes. They kept the plugs in for 3 months. This worked great on one hand. The dryness ended completely within a week to 10 days because all your tears come out directly onto your eye instead of through the duct (because it's blocked by the plug.). The major downside is #1) you have tears basically pouring down your face every moment of the day and night 🌙. #2) It's not a permanent solution because yo can't keep the plugs in indefinitely and once taken out, it's only a month or so before the chronic dryness sets back in. I also tried the prescription eye drops Restasis without any success at all. They actually seemed to make my eyes feel dryer if that was humanly possible? So, I wasn't too excited when recently my ophthalmologist recommended yet another prescription drop. This one is called Xiidra. I really disliked it at first because it has a significant itchy/stinging sensation upon application that lasts a minute or so. I have found though that the less dry my eyes became, the less problem I had with this side effect. I've been on the drops (to be used twice daily which is pretty convenient) for about 3 weeks now and the itching/burning sensation upon application is completely gone. And, my eyes are feeling the least dry that I can ever remember them feeling. Not quite at 100% just yet, but hey it's only been 3 weeks. I'm feeling really good about these drops. Also of note.... The whole reason I went to my doctor asking for a prescription for drops to begin with was because I saw a commercial for an even newer, more advanced drop that works by forming a protective layer or coating over your eye to keep moisture in. It's the first drop of its kind supposedly. It must really be amazing because my doctor informed me that to qualify for it for insurance you must have tried and failed at least 2 other types of prescription eye drops and have a true diagnosis of chronic dry eyes. Otherwise it's $1400 - $1800 for a month supply. Thus my prescription for the Xiidra. I just love the way it all works. Lol.