How do you deal with dry eyes?

Hi,
I was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome with unknown cause.
I was perscribed Restasis and was on it for twelve years.
My family dr retired and now have a Nurse Practioner who is concerned to refill because she worries about the long term effect. However, it is not a steroid. It is an immunosuppressive. So I am not sure what to think.
I have an eye mask pad that I heat up in microwave for 30 seconds and leave only for 10 minutes on my eyes every morning and night .
Also I use tear gel at night because it has a thicker consistency .
Throughout the day I use hydrosense, refresh, or systane whatever I have on hand.
I find the heat eye pad mask helps.
I find it interesting from a comment above about acupuncture. I have never had this to treat dry eyes.
I do have an acupuncture treatment weekly for something else and get good relief.
I will now consider it for dry eyes.
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas💕

I challenge my ophthalmologists, even though they are board certified and tops in their field, because my vision is a top priority for me. I also have T1 diabetes which increases my risks for vision issues. So, I also have a retina specialist at Duke. They are highly regarded doctors, but I still do my own research and discuss all treatment plans with them.

I would likely try to get a second opinion on stopping a treatment that was working well.

I found the link I referred to upthread.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6497118/

My drugist recommended preservative free drops so I changed to hydro sense and found them better for me

During my last flare of severe dry eye, my ophthalmologist recommended that I only use the Systane preservative free individual applicators. You twist off the top and use it once, then discard. There’s about 30 in a box. I normally prop it up and use throughout the day. It’s still pricey. And, night time ointment. Also, preservative free, but in a tube. Very expensive as well, imo. And, not covered by insurance. At least with my diabetic costs, I get credit for it.

I recently got the permanent silicone plugs put in and it's wonderful. I had the temporary ones made from collagen first and did great with them. I am hoping to come off Restasis and Systane Complete soon. Ask your eye doctor about them. I am very pleased. Dry eyes are so much better. Praying for relief for you.

I will ask about them. I had plugs twice before from my previous ophthalmologist. I’m not sure what they were made of. They were placed into my tear ducts. I can’t say they made much of a difference, although during that time I had very aggravated eyes. They didn’t stay in very long and eventually fell out by the time I returned to his office. Maybe, there are new ones out now. I’ll check. Thank you for your kind words and prayers. So goad you have found relief! That’s awesome!

Do you still cleanse your lids everyday? I was told to scrub lashes with baby shampoo, butI have found that my eyes are more comfortable when I don’t do that,

My Cornea doctor put in plugs (in the inside corner of the eyes) Also, I have Cequa drops 2x a day.
(Prescription). If insurance won't cover the cost the doctor will call them and say ?? Cequa is the only one you can use
Throughout the day, I use Systane gel vials and the drops have to be No preservative!
There are other drops to use. Refresh is supposedly very good.
There are a couple of other choices. Sclera contacts for dry eye which is pricey.
Then another option - have a blood dtaw which will be used as eye drops.

Thanks for the info! I will definitely discuss this with my doctors.

I have considered the plasma drops. It’s pricey, but I may try it.

I have chronic dry eye syndrome after multiple eye surgeries. My ophthalmologist prescribed Systane eye drops, and only Systane. I have used the preservative free drops and the regular ones. I eventually figured out you do not need to prop up the preservative free ones. The cap you twist off fits right back on. This keeps them from leaking out as well as more fresh throughout the day.