How do you deal with dry eyes?

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I will look into the Bruder mask. The radiation caused lacrimal gland problems. Do you know what gland IPL treats? I was diagnosed with Merkel cell cancer on the eyelid. I had it surgically removed and then had radiation. I had been using Restasis for six years prior for dry eyes. The doctors at Mayo clinic advised me to promptly stop using Restasis after the merkle cell cancer began. Restasis is an immuno suppressant antiinflammatory drug. They are not sure what started the cancer but it could’ve been from using reatatsis, as it is has immunosuppressant qualities. Just letting others know my experience. We continually need to consider the positives and the negatives with any treatments.

@dreams thanks so much for sharing that possible side effect of Restasis, I had never heard that. My insurance required I use that first and it burned too badly so I was allowed to use Xiidra, which works much better for me anyway but requires more out of pocket. I am so sorry for what you are going through and feel so lucky this didn't happen to me as I am prone to bad luck!

If you apply a drop of unpreserved teats to your eyes before using Restasis, it will burn less.

My wife and I started using the Bruder masks, and it has made a big difference. Much more convenient than the warm water compresses.
Thanks, Art

Here's the protocol my ophthalmologist put me on. I had severe dry eyes. Use the Bruders eye mask four times a day for 5-10 mins at a time for at least two weeks. After each eye mask use, use the ocusoft plus eye wipes afterwards. Then use systane ultra preservative free drops at least for times per day. These products are all available on amazon. As you improve, usually after two weeks, you can decrease how often you use the Bruder eye mask. I only need to use it once per day now with the eye wipes but I still do the drops four times a day. This regimen has helped me tremendously! My eyes are doing great per my ophthalmologist and I no longer have any symptoms.

You can get a prescription for Restasis or Xiidra from your opthmalogist. Both worked for me. And use disposable moist heat eye masks, they can really relieve the pain (over the counter) and eye drops over the counter without preservatives. I have glaucoma and my dry eye syndrome was making my glaucoma scary-verging on blindness. I had X-gel stents put in both of my eyes by a glaucoma surgeon. And they work great for dry eyes! I used to be in so much pain when the ceiling fan was on, now I can stand,

@bluekittymom Thanks for this info! May I ask if IPL was covered by insurance? If not, what kind of cost was involved? How long do the results last?

Thanks so much!

IPL was not covered by insurance (Medicare). Each treatment was about $300. So far 5 months, and things are still ok. I do use Bruder eye mask everyday.

For Sjogrens, it helps to use a warm eye mask twice a day. I agree that “preservative free” eye drops are a must.

Did you do the IPL?