Dry eyes--give me your best advice

I've tried Restasis but I could never get past the burning. I may end up on it again. My eyes got so dry I have damaged corneas that have affected my vision. My Dr has me on twice daily steroid drops, regular drops as often as needed. I like systene. Large dose of fish oil or flax seed oil and an otc ointment at night. And I'm not to sleep with a fan going as that is drying. It's been a couple of months and I'm starting to see improvment. But some days they still just burn.

You can't od on otc drops so use them a lot.

I use Restatsis- it does help. Also, Thera Tears Omega 3 capsules (fish oil)- I take 3 every night. I can tell if I skip a couple of nights. I've tried the Systane gel- just didn't stick with it. Also, I tried the warming mask- but again I didn't do it long enough to see any improvement. It's a battle!

Refresh makes a thick gel type drop that you can put in at night to help start the day off right

I take tons of allergy medicine that makes my eyes dry. Before bed, I use Genteal Gel. When I wake up to hit snooze on my alarm, I use refresh liquigel. Before I put my contacts in, I wash off all gunk with warm water.

While I don't have as severe a problem as you, my Opthalmologist recommended fish oil. I was a bit skeptical, but after taking it for about a month, it definitely made a difference. If I miss a few days I can tell. Hope you can find some relief from the good suggestions given in this thread.

TMI alert - I tried the Omega 3 capsules but they gave me pretty noticeable digestive issues.  Does no one else have a problem with that?

I am also using Restasis, gel eye drops and punctal plugs.  After 2-3 months on the Restasis, I am finally getting some relief.  Switching contact brands has helped me as well.

Alexia, my Dr actually suggested a fan from Brookstone that fits at the end of the bed and goes between the sheets. It was not in our store, but we found it online. My DH uses it on his side of the bed, I'm the one that piles blankets on me. I did try using an eye mask with the ceiling fan, hard to get used to.

Since this is the site it is, my mind automatically went to the gutter. ?. That is odd how you still dislike them yet crave them.

I have never had any digestive issues with the Thera Tears brand, but that's the only brand I've used. I do have a sensitive stomach- I take them right before I go to bed. 

Yes,hot dry air and ceiling fan or A/C makes dry eye worse. There are so many types of eye drops, it is quite an individual choice as to what feels the best, you might have to try a few

I use GenTeal drops during the day. If particularly bad I will use Lacrilube ointment or GenResl Gel at night

A Warm Wet facecloth held over the eyes is very helpful,

There is a commercial product sold by Eyeeco.com. This is a goggle that you fill with a hot pad and a wet foam. This is a bit $$ but lasts longer than a wet facecloth and is comfortable enough to wear to bed.

There are multiple reasons to have a dry eye, including autoimmune issues, medications, and, sadly, just getting older.! one iif the most common autoimmune conditions is Sjögren's syndrome, which includes dry eyes, dry mouth, and joint pain. Often Dr's brush this off as not very serious, but it can have much wider reaching symptoms.

Hope this helps.

I agree. Get checked to be sure it's only dry eyes and not something more. I have dry eyes due to my Juvenile Arthritis. My body does not make quality tears. I use gel drops, Genteal brand.

Learned something new!

Here I am, reading this thread, thinking it is time to get out of bed and use some Genteal (I use the gel lubricant). The ceiling fan is on and my eyes feel dry. We sleep with the fans on all night in the summer. Explains a lot!