How do you deal with dry eyes?

My dry eyes are getting worse. My cornea specialist recommended Restasis or plugs in my ducts. Does anyone have positive effects from Restatis vs the burning side effects I've mostly read about? Has anyone had success with plugs? Thanks for any info.
Rachel

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

@peach414144 Thank you for your reply. You confirmed my thoughts.

@sue225 Thank you for your response. Can you (or anyone) tell me if you still use Refresh or Systain type drops while on Restasis or Xiidra? Internet says no unless consult with doctor. Interesting about the steroids. I'm on prednisolone steroid drops for life...wonder if they'd count??

No plugs for me! I believe my mom was unsuccessful, like yourself.

@funcountess Agreed.

I have Mixed Connective tissue disease with overlap of Scleroderma. I have had plugs for over ten years. They help, but my eyes And mouth get drier as I get older. I’m also take meds for This and they make the dryness worse as well.

@rwinney yes, you can still use artificial tear drops while on Xiidra or Restasis. With Restasis it takes months until you know if it is working for you. Even with Xiidra, you can't tell right away but it's a shorter period than Restasis. If it works for you, it should reduce the need for artificial tears.The opthalmologist will go over all of this with you.

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.