How do you deal with dry eyes?

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 eye dr today prescribed Restasis. My pharmacy called as soon as they got the prescription to warn me of the cost for the prescription. Medicare+ a supplement +Part D and I would pay $501 out of pocket! No! I cancelled that and ordered an eye gel from Amazon. At least for under $10. I will know right away if it helps.

My eye dr today prescribed Restasis. My pharmacy called as soon as they got the prescription to warn me of the cost for the prescription. Medicare+ a supplement +Part D and I would pay $501 out of pocket! No! I cancelled that and ordered an eye gel from Amazon. At least for under $10. I will know right away if it helps.

Interestingly, Xiidra no longer being recommended to me. No told that if I had stinging with Restasis it would be the same or worse with Xiidra which is fine with me. Will continue doing my usual regimen.
My only bit of advice to you, whatever artificial tear,or gel you buy, always best to go with a preservative free product. The preservatives often irritate the dry eye.

@krisjb1 the one thing I would say about Xiidra and Restasis is the benefit they provide in actually “correcting” (for lack of a better word) dry eyes. I used Xiidra for about 3 months and then could cut back to only once a day without the need to use any other drops. Unfortunately I became lazy and didn’t use for many months and had to start again with 2 applications a day and supplemental OTC preservative-free drops. Just thought I’d share that info.

I have tried everything for severe dry eye due to Sjogren's disease. Finally the cornea specialist cauterized all four of my eyes and my eyes are still a major problem with margin lid disease, blepheritis and watery disfunctional tears.
I've lost a lot of lashes, they are red rimmed and swollen. Hope you've had better experiences. I wish they had not been all cauterized, it wasn't a good solution....

My eye dr today prescribed Restasis. My pharmacy called as soon as they got the prescription to warn me of the cost for the prescription. Medicare+ a supplement +Part D and I would pay $501 out of pocket! No! I cancelled that and ordered an eye gel from Amazon. At least for under $10. I will know right away if it helps.

@krisjb1 the one thing I would say about Xiidra and Restasis is the benefit they provide in actually “correcting” (for lack of a better word) dry eyes. I used Xiidra for about 3 months and then could cut back to only once a day without the need to use any other drops. Unfortunately I became lazy and didn’t use for many months and had to start again with 2 applications a day and supplemental OTC preservative-free drops. Just thought I’d share that info.