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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sk106 | @sk106 | Jul 15 11:07pm

In reply to @sizwhatitiz2 "I use Thera tears two times a day. I’m also using Timolol for glaucoma two times..." + (show)

I have had success with Miebo and using Systane ointment at night. I am also getting scleral lens which keeps the cornea bathed in saline.

argos2026 | @argos2026 | Jul 16 9:13am

It has been such a struggle. I've been on so many different drops. I'm currently using a 40% serum from my blood. It was really working better, but right now I'm in a slump. My doc wants me using Vevye also and warm compresses. The punctual plug didn't work for me but I know others who are having good luck with it. I need to check out the scleral lens.

po1958ling | @po1958ling | Jul 16 1:14pm

I use Xiidra once at night (prescription for twice daily but I don't use in the morning.) It does help a lot to live as normal as possible. It's not a cure from my Sjogren's Syndrome since I was diagnosed in 2019. My eyes are sensitive to dust and pollen more and more as I age. I also use over the counter Thera Tears if needed (not often.)

Ms. Mac | @donnamac | Jul 17 6:47am

I have so much wrong with my eyes....wet macular degeneration that require bi monthly injections, cataracts that need to be removed, and dry eye because of so many reasons. I was prescribed the generic Restasis and developed bad cough and asthma almost immediately, and then given Xiidra and cough was worse. Also headache. So now today, I am picking up a nose spray for dry eye and trying that method at the doctor's office who is the surgeon. I cannot have surgery until I can get dry eye under control. I am legally blind in my left eye due to cataracts. I have always been healthy and active, and never dreamed my slow down would be due to poor vision. :(.

margieb58 | @margieb58 | Jul 17 8:02am

I have Sjogrens. I use Refresh drops and take flaxseed oil capsules. Other ideas are punctal plugs, eyedrops made from your serum. What has helped me the most is Plaquenel, but that is because it tamps down the autoimmune that causes the dry eyes. Also warm wet compresses might help with the meibomian glands.

abob | @abob | Jul 18 10:25am

In reply to @donnamac "I have so much wrong with my eyes....wet macular degeneration that require bi monthly injections, cataracts..." + (show)

@donnamac
My OPH prescribed Cequa which creates tears. It is helping me.

mtnwoman | @mtnwoman | Jul 19 10:58am

In reply to @sk106 "I have had success with Miebo and using Systane ointment at night. I am also getting..." + (show)

@sk106
Would you let us know how the scleral lens work for you?
My dry eye symptom is photophobia, and I think my overriding problem is meibomian gland disfunction. Restasis drops, warm compresses, otc drops, ointments, omega vitamins don't seem to help a whole lot.

kayabbott | @kayabbott | Jul 19 4:09pm

I was using Systane artifical tears, but they didn't solve the underlying dry eye problem. Doctor switch to cyclosporine drops (anti inflammatory, but don't have eye pressure side effects of some meds) and they cleared up my dry eyes in a couple of weeks. If your problem is not due to a zealous immune system, then that med likely won't help. Heated eye masks helped some (and felt good last winter).