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 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.

They’re working for me. Dr Reza Dana at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston used 6 month dissolvable plugs. My eyes were so dry and eyes were so inflamed, whites of my eyes were red. The whites of my eyes are now white, I had forgotten what that looked like prior to dry eye and punctual plugs. I have then in both lower and upper punctum. .

Yes, I have been dealing with dry eyes for 40 years! I use Allergan's Refresh Celluvisc preservative free eye drops (artificial tears) many times during the day and night time ointment at night. Years ago, I tried Restasis which I discontinued because of severe stinging and burning. Just had an appointment with my over 80 now retiring ophthalmologist who recommended trying Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) which recently became available in Canada. Was just about to start a discussion group to get feedback on Xiidra.

I had a severe allergic reaction to Xiidra because it is a sulpha drug. My doctor prescribed it without checking my allergy list.

I suspect I may be allergic to sulfa also. Had a reaction to an antibiotic so many years ago. That is really good to know. I was not aware of this.

I use Restasis for my dry eyes without problems.

I use Restasis for my dry eyes without problems.