How do you deal with dry eyes?

Have very dry eyes. I am using a gel eye drops twice a day. I feel some relief as the gel type stays in the eye longer than regular eye drops

Hi @willows, I have very dry eyes too, a side effect from a medical condition. What I’ve found, which works really well for me, is an over the counter product called Systane Nighttime Ointment (it contains no preservatives) I’ve also used their eye-drop gel which works great. But this is wonderful for nighttime use.

It comes in a little tube and right before you go to sleep, squeeze out a small line of the paste on the inside of the lower eye lid. It melts over the eye providing a protective coating all night. It will blur your vision a little so that’s why I go to sleep right away. If you blink several times your vision returns to normal.
I find that it works best if it’s applied routinely every night. I don’t even need my gel eye drops during the day anymore! My eyes feel really healthy, no more grittiness or burning.
My last eye exam, even my ophthalmologist commented on how healthy my looked regarding dryness.

What gel eye-drop brand are you using?

Hi Mentor. In response to your question, I am using I-DROP pur gel. Made by I-MED pharma, made in Montreal. I also use Hydrasense gel eye drops but I don’t find them quite as good. The chemical formulation is different from the I-DROPS. Thanks for your info on the Systame eye ointment. I will see whether I can get them in Montreal.

I use the Systane night time eye ointment. Available at drug stores in Toronto.

Hi @willows, I have very dry eyes too, a side effect from a medical condition. What I’ve found, which works really well for me, is an over the counter product called Systane Nighttime Ointment (it contains no preservatives) I’ve also used their eye-drop gel which works great. But this is wonderful for nighttime use.

It comes in a little tube and right before you go to sleep, squeeze out a small line of the paste on the inside of the lower eye lid. It melts over the eye providing a protective coating all night. It will blur your vision a little so that’s why I go to sleep right away. If you blink several times your vision returns to normal.
I find that it works best if it’s applied routinely every night. I don’t even need my gel eye drops during the day anymore! My eyes feel really healthy, no more grittiness or burning.
My last eye exam, even my ophthalmologist commented on how healthy my looked regarding dryness.

What gel eye-drop brand are you using?

Thank you for your response.

For those wanting to know more about sjogren’s and dry eyes, this is a good discussion. Maybe @gingerbear. @loribmt. And @sue225 could tell you more about it
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sjogrens/

@ejrquast,
@renm @becsbuddy
I think this is the new treatment for dry eyes which was recently approved by the FDA that you were asking about.
It’s called Tyrvaya (varenciline). It looks promising and is actually a nasal spray! I posted an article below.
https://www.eyecarecentermd.com/blog/tyrvaya-varenciline-nasal-spray-approved-by-us-food-and-drug-administration-fda-for-dry-eye-treatment/.
I have a number of acquaintances who’ve undergone a stem cell transplant. Often that can lead to some very serious dry eye issues. There is a treatment which uses their own blood to help create a specialty serum for them. There are specialty pharmacies which can make this in very amounts for each patient.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/autologous-serum-eye-drops-3422030.
@ ejrquast even when using the Systane night time ointment and drops, are you still having severe dry eyes?

Thank you, Lori, for taking the time to research dry eye treatments and share with us. I will be contacting my local Mayo eye doctor regarding this. Your time and research is greatly appreciated.