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How are you dealing with dry eyes?

Posted by joybringer1 @joybringer1, Dec 6, 2025

Recently, my eye doctor asked how often I use my Thera Tears and when I replied many times a day, he told me I have dry eyes and should not be using these eye drops more than 3 times a day. He gave me a sample pack of Xiidra which has single-use containers and has no preservatives. I quit using them because it felt like I had been injecting sand in my eyes. The prescription for these single-use containers is $300 for 90 days. I asked my pharmacy to hold that RX because I was not sure if I would ever use these again. What do you do for dry eyes?

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mtnwoman | @mtnwoman | Feb 12 9:35am
In reply to @linda82 "@mtnwoman 2-rounds @ 3mth each. First round worked but, it came back after a couple of..." + (show)
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@mtnwoman 2-rounds @ 3mth each. First round worked but, it came back after a couple of mths. Then I did the 2nd round and again it helped but, came back.
That is when my doctor told me about these other treatments.
Note on the cyclosporine - It worked better when I stored in the refrigerator
Note on the OCuSOFT - I use original foaming eyelid cleanser in the shower every day. Wipes for travel and in evening if I wear eye makeup
I have done some research on the IPL and I used to get IPL facials. (which you never get too close to eye area)
I took the paperwork to my Aesthetics office (I always go to in the winter for facials) and had RN) look over it.
She came back and said yes, do it. She said she remembered a had client that told her that the treatments she was given seemed to have helped with her dry eyes.
She also said that the Lumenis is the best machine out there and the tip for this treatment is not like the one for the none eye area. It is much smaller and more targeted.

I am very excited about it. I also understand that it should last up to a year.
I have had IPL's. And the only downside is you must try to stay out of the sun 2 wks before and after the wks after treatment. (wear sunscreen, hate, sunglasses) Also, make sure there is NO retinal/retinoid creams in that area.
Also, you could have discoloration after the treatment. They will assess your skin type to use the right amount of (light). I did well with it in the past on my face and have more of a Mediterranean skin tone. Knowing your ethnicity is a must for best results and knowing how your skin reacts to the sun.

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@linda82
Excellent information! Thank you so much! A lot to digest, but very good information to know. And I'll put the cyclosporine in the refrigerator, for sure.
I'm being referred for the ipl and will ask if they have the Lumenis.
Thanks again.

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brenda1944 | @brenda1944 | Feb 12 1:11pm

I’ve had dry eye for over twenty years,I’m 82.
I had cataracts removed and lense put in with prescription.I could read without glasses the first time in my life. Seems since then dry got worse.
It’s not just dry eye. I have one eye that can’t read the chart the other eye much better. I still wear readers and distance sometimes. I have lots of floaters ,not operable. I get pain behind eyes sometimes and see tiny light in one eye. Also some flattering in eyelid . The more tired my eyes get the more vertigo I have. My pressure is good.
I need a good ophthalmologist in 98021 zip code area.. My doctor moved away.

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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Feb 12 9:28pm
In reply to @linda82 "@mtnwoman I did 2 rounds of the cyclosporine drops and use the Systane. I also use..." + (show)
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@mtnwoman I did 2 rounds of the cyclosporine drops and use the Systane. I also use Ocusoft eyelid cleaner daily,
I am going on the 20th of this month to have the IPL.
It is 4 - treatments ($120 per treatment) 2-4 wks apart. They will start with the Zest (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment)
Then the IPL
https://lumenis.com/vision/products/optilight/
This will be done at my Eye Dr's office.

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@linda82 hello! Do you mind me asking where you are located? My optometrist charges closer to $600 per IPL session and it doesn’t include Lipiflow. Now I’m wondering if should be shopping around more.

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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Feb 12 9:32pm
In reply to @cjval52 "@mtnwoman when I was at my optometrist yesterday he had a flyer advertising ipl and light..." + (show)
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@mtnwoman when I was at my optometrist yesterday he had a flyer advertising ipl and light therapy for dry eyes. I have tried the punctal plugs but they drove me nuts. Anyone tried the light therapy?

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@cjval52 hello, I have done IPL. My optometrist does an acute series of 4 treatments all relatively close together, I can’t remember but it was maybe 2-4 weeks apart. Then maintenance every 6 months. These come highly recommended by my docs so I get them, but I find them incredibly painful. It also a huge out of pocket cost. None of the dry eye treatments are inexpensive, it seems!

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linda82 | @linda82 | Feb 13 6:45am
In reply to @ashleyharris728 "@linda82 hello! Do you mind me asking where you are located? My optometrist charges closer to..." + (show)
Profile picture for ashleyharris728 @ashleyharris728

@linda82 hello! Do you mind me asking where you are located? My optometrist charges closer to $600 per IPL session and it doesn’t include Lipiflow. Now I’m wondering if should be shopping around more.

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@ashleyharris728 I am in the upstate of SC. The $600 is the same for me. It is $150.00 per treatment. 4 treatments 2-4 weeks apart.
Mine does include the Zest treatment.

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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Feb 13 7:27am
In reply to @linda82 "@ashleyharris728 I am in the upstate of SC. The $600 is the same for me. It..." + (show)
Profile picture for linda82 @linda82

@ashleyharris728 I am in the upstate of SC. The $600 is the same for me. It is $150.00 per treatment. 4 treatments 2-4 weeks apart.
Mine does include the Zest treatment.

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@linda82
You have inspired me to shop around for a better price at other clinics, because my treatments are $650 each. If you pre-pay for all four, it’s discounted to a total of $2,200. This prices does include a single LipiFlow treatment, but those are otherwise an additional $1,000.

This is the only clinic in my area that covers it, but it would be worth driving if I could save hundreds on each treatment. Thank you for sharing this with me so I can make some phone calls!

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joybringer1 | @joybringer1 | Mar 13 12:17pm
In reply to @abob "@laughlin1947 I got the Systane drops but I find this bottle difficult to dispense. Although it’s..." + (show)
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@laughlin1947 I got the Systane drops but I find this bottle difficult to dispense. Although it’s full, takes me lots of squeezing to get drop out, so long that my hand has moved and drop doesn’t get into my eye.

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@abob I thought I was the only one having difficulty with squeezing the two bottles of eye drops. This is a cautionary tale: I used my Vevye drops twice a day after heating and wearing my Oasis Rest Relief before inserting my eyedrops. I thought I was doing a good job, but I now have an eye infection and my doctor told me I must have either touched the tip of the drops to my eyeball (I doubt it) or maybe touched an eyelash. Perhaps I did touch an eyelash, but my left eye still feels awful like sand is in my eye. So, in addition to the Vevye drops I am using an RX of Tobramycin and Dexamethasone four times a day. I must wait at least 15 minutes before using the RX after the Vevye. The infection is supposed to be gone by the end of a week. I do not think it will be because that date is in 3 days. I honestly don't know what I am going to do next.
I guess I will have to go back to the eye doctor. I hope many of you have found solutions to your eye problems. With all good wishes, @joybringer1.

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2 replies
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linda82 | @linda82 | Mar 14 7:26am
In reply to @ashleyharris728 "@linda82 You have inspired me to shop around for a better price at other clinics, because..." + (show)
Profile picture for ashleyharris728 @ashleyharris728

@linda82
You have inspired me to shop around for a better price at other clinics, because my treatments are $650 each. If you pre-pay for all four, it’s discounted to a total of $2,200. This prices does include a single LipiFlow treatment, but those are otherwise an additional $1,000.

This is the only clinic in my area that covers it, but it would be worth driving if I could save hundreds on each treatment. Thank you for sharing this with me so I can make some phone calls!

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@ashleyharris728 The price I gave you was incorrect. I actually went and it was 1600
But, I decided to start with the zest treatment. ($220)
It will be 3 wks on Monday
I have been happy with it, and I still use my ocusoft cleanser in the shower.
I noticed a big difference and have not had to use eye drops!

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1 reply
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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Mar 14 8:16am
In reply to @linda82 "@ashleyharris728 The price I gave you was incorrect. I actually went and it was 1600 But,..." + (show)
Profile picture for linda82 @linda82

@ashleyharris728 The price I gave you was incorrect. I actually went and it was 1600
But, I decided to start with the zest treatment. ($220)
It will be 3 wks on Monday
I have been happy with it, and I still use my ocusoft cleanser in the shower.
I noticed a big difference and have not had to use eye drops!

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@linda82 thanks for the info! I haven’t heard of Zest before. I will have to check it out. So glad to hear you are feeling better after treatment!

REPLY
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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Mar 14 11:18am
In reply to @joybringer1 "@abob I thought I was the only one having difficulty with squeezing the two bottles of..." + (show)
Profile picture for joybringer1 @joybringer1

@abob I thought I was the only one having difficulty with squeezing the two bottles of eye drops. This is a cautionary tale: I used my Vevye drops twice a day after heating and wearing my Oasis Rest Relief before inserting my eyedrops. I thought I was doing a good job, but I now have an eye infection and my doctor told me I must have either touched the tip of the drops to my eyeball (I doubt it) or maybe touched an eyelash. Perhaps I did touch an eyelash, but my left eye still feels awful like sand is in my eye. So, in addition to the Vevye drops I am using an RX of Tobramycin and Dexamethasone four times a day. I must wait at least 15 minutes before using the RX after the Vevye. The infection is supposed to be gone by the end of a week. I do not think it will be because that date is in 3 days. I honestly don't know what I am going to do next.
I guess I will have to go back to the eye doctor. I hope many of you have found solutions to your eye problems. With all good wishes, @joybringer1.

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@joybringer1 I’m guessing you have already done this but I’m wondering if you discarded the old bottle and opened a new bottle of Vevye since getting the infection? Are you using disposable heated masks while you have an active infection? I am not a clinician but I am a scientist (in the virology/microbiology field) so I always have an eye on potential contamination issues. Best wishes on your infection to clear up soon, it sounds like you’re having a lot of discomfort on top of the normal dry eye stuff, which is tough enough.

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