I have had plugs introduced into my eyes on three different occasions. None worked. A waste of time and damage to the eyes can happen. Check this out ten times before doing anything. Also have not heard of any one else who said that plugs helped. Sorry.

I've had dry eyes for forty years. Somewhere along the way, I listened to the opthalmologist and tried a plug in one eye only. It just caused more pain and didnt make things better at all.
Restasis caused a lot of burning for me. It takes about two to three months to know if Restasis is being effective. It is sometimes recommended to use a steroid drop for two weeks prior to starting Restasis and then for the first week of using it to reduce stinging.
Opthalmologist are now prescribing Xiidra. I did fill the prescription but never did start it. My opthalmologist also prescribed a steroid to be used for the first few weeks of starting the Xiidra drops.
I have for now decided to just keep using Refresh Celluvisc drops and DuoLube nighttime ointment.
With Covid19 still pretty active where I live, I did not want to have new problems with Xiidra and have to see a doctor. There are people on this blog who have had success with Xiidra.

My mothers husband used restasis for dry eyes, it must of worked for him, and he never complained of any burning. It’s worn a try for you. plugs seem a little drastic.
Funcountess

I have used restasis, xiidra, have punctual plugs in both upper and lower eyelids numerous times, sorry to say did not work, but everyone is different, Recommend you obtain a book called The Dry Eye Remedy, written by Robert Latkany, M.D., he is the founder and director of the Dry Eye Clinic at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. One of his chapters, Your Home Eye Spa, advises what you should do to help your dry eyes at home. His offices are located in Manhattan and Purchase N.Y.

I currently have excellent relief from dry eye from dissolvable punctual plugs by Oasis that last for approximately 6 months. They were placed in lower and upper punctum. I’m 4 mos. in and still doing well. The whites of my eyes have not been this white in several years. A doctor at Mass Eye and Ear put them in. Years ago I had silicone plugs put in and they came out all the time b/c I use makeup remover on eyes at night so when I rubbed the eye, they came out. So anyone who wears makeup, silicone plugs will come out when rubbing eyes with makeup remover. The doctor who put the silicone plugs in was not trying to help me, he just wanted the surgical copay from my health insurance every time he replaced them. Then they tried to talk me into expensive LipiFlow treatment not covered by insurance. Thank God I found an incredible opthamoligist. For anyone in the Boston area, I suggest going to Dr Pedram Hamrah who is not only one of the best in Boston but possibly the world. If you’re in Florida, I suggest going to Bascom Palmer if there’s one near you to find a good cornea specialist. They’re world renowned.

So to the nay sayer who posted he never met anyone that punctual plugs worked for, I’m living proof.

I have only used xiidra and it works for me. It may sting a bit depending on how dry your eye is. They barely sting mine unless I’m symptomatic and only then, they will sting more. Vision may be blurry for ten minutes. I also use lid scrubs 1x a day, Bruder mask 2x a day, xiidra 2x a day, Genteal or Systane eye ointment tucked in lower lid before going to bed.