How are you dealing with dry eyes?

I was also told to use preservative free drops if I use the over the counter drops. Has anyone experienced the “dry eyes” initially after receive inf the trifocal lens? I didn’t have the pain and irritation etc prior to the cataract surgery and trifocal lens placement.

Dry eyes is a common occurrence after any cataract or eye surgery, I was told. It takes several months for your eyes to calm down after these procedures. Preservative-free drops were recommended to me. I was told that if I used a drop with a preservative, to use them only once or twice a day. The preservative-free ones are working better. It is worth reviewing all the other meds you take because many, particularly antihistamines, including nasal products, can cause eye dryness. My preferences are all preservative free: Refresh-Plus in vials (as needed), Ivizia in a bottle (as needed) and cyclosporine (2x a day--this one is an Rx, the generic for restasis, which I was using before the cataract surgery). I always use the Refresh-Plus about 10-15 minutes after the Rx drugs prescribed following the surgery: Prednisolone and Keterolac now. Also had an antibiotic drop initially but that ended. I am into the 4th week after surgery. I had the eyes done a week apart. Traditional (not laser) incision/surgery. Got Alcon Clareon Vivity EDOF (extended depth of focus) lenses, with a Toric for moderate astigmatism in one eye, plus laser correction of the mild astigmatism in the other eye. Delighted so far with the outcome. Excellent vision in all ranges. No glasses. No contacts. For very teeny tiny print on say a medicine bottle, I could use either a reader or a magnifying glass, although if I use a white book light, I can even read that most of the time. I was told to expect to need readers for some, but probably just OTC "peepers". No issues with glare day or night. So far so good. I went to St Lukes Cataract & Laser Surgery Center in Florida and had Dr. Wipfli, who has done more than 50,000 cataract surgeries and was just named among the top cataract surgeons in the US by Newsweek; I think he was the top rated in Florida. Excellent experience all the way from the consultations through the surgery and now in recovery. Hope this helps.

@marieltha
Thanks for all the information. I cannot adjust to the multifocal lens that was placed on 8/12 and 9/5. The sensitivity to light is terrible. I can't drive when it is sunny and can't go out in the sun. The bright lights in my home that can;t be dimmed do not get turned on (bathroom lights etc) I see halos on all lights even the smallest light that may be on an electrical cord. I pray the monofocal lens gets rid of all these issues so I can have my eyes back. My family and friends say I don't look like myself because I squint all the time. It is true, I cannot open my eyes completely to any light and it doesn't take long to get a terrible headache. I was never told of the different type lenses, (toric for a stigmatism). I did get a second opinion and did a lot of research and feel I was not a good candidate for the multifocal lens since I have the stigmatism and the severe dry eye. I will update after the lens exchange and hope it is good news.

@marieltha
Thanks for all the information. I cannot adjust to the multifocal lens that was placed on 8/12 and 9/5. The sensitivity to light is terrible. I can't drive when it is sunny and can't go out in the sun. The bright lights in my home that can;t be dimmed do not get turned on (bathroom lights etc) I see halos on all lights even the smallest light that may be on an electrical cord. I pray the monofocal lens gets rid of all these issues so I can have my eyes back. My family and friends say I don't look like myself because I squint all the time. It is true, I cannot open my eyes completely to any light and it doesn't take long to get a terrible headache. I was never told of the different type lenses, (toric for a stigmatism). I did get a second opinion and did a lot of research and feel I was not a good candidate for the multifocal lens since I have the stigmatism and the severe dry eye. I will update after the lens exchange and hope it is good news.

Thank you to all who submitted what you do for dry eyes. I made a list of all of your suggestions and gave to my eye doctor (because I could not tolerate Xiidra). He prescribed Vevye (He ordered it online and it was mailed to me by PhilRX) and I purchased a mask called "Oasis Rest Relief" at his office. I am to use that (after heating in the microwave) for 5 minutes morning and evening or more if I wish. My doctor told me to be patient and it sometimes takes 12 weeks to improve dry eyes. I presume when I no longer feel the need for this, I will discontinue. In the meantime, I am also using CVS preservation free eye drops. It feels fine and since my doctor said all of the OTC products only mask the situation, I feel I can do no harm. Again, I thank all of you for contributing. With all good wishes, @joybringer1

My doc told me to use the heat pads on my eyes 2x a day. It releases the natural oils in your eyes. You can buy them online or just use a warm wash cloth. Good luck.

@mikaylar
How long do you keep warm washcloth on your eyes?