I'm new to dry eyes...just diagnosed yesterday with moderate-severe, and my test was a 9. My eye dr said 15 is usually where the number should be.
She gave me a prescription for Restasis but I refuse to take it. The reason is in the paperwork you can read where in a nonclinical study, there was a high risk of developing lymphoma. I read online where it can cause high blood pressure, kidney problems, more prone to infections, etc. I read a message board where 84 ppl talked about the adverse effects. Being diabetic, I can't afford to have any of these complications for a med that may or may not work.
I refuse to believe there isn't any other way except this med to protect my eyes from corneal tearing. My fluctuating blood sugar before I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is likely what caused this. Since I've changed my diet, I exercise, lost weight, and am on meds, my eyes rarely bother me anymore. In fact, putting drops in my eyes today when they weren't dry (I read to keep lubricating them anyway so as to protect the cornea) actually annoyed them all day. I use the preservative-free.
You have to do what's right for you, but I just don't believe that the risks and side effects that are known, are worth it for me to take Restasis.

I totally agree with you I haven't to and they try to give it to me and I refused to take it but I do have a lot of pain in my eyes I don't know if you have had that but I'm glad that things are better for you hugs Shirley

Wear swimming goggles around the house to preserve moisture. Try HydroEye, it's been clinically proven to work, and it has improved my condition.

I tried restasis, no change at all. Then my eye doctor prescribed the Rx supplement, "Tears Again Hydrate." Four gel caps a day -- problem all but solve d. It's Omega-3s, mostly, nothing pharaceutical. But a proprietary blend of some sort, requiring an Rx.

It's a bit pricey, so I'm glad it's covered by my insurance.

What is a dry eye test and how is it done? I would be curious where I'm at...

I had no moisture at all in my eyes and my eyes don't produce any of the lubricating tears at all. According to my doctor the kind of tears when you cry are the wrong kind of tears and will just further dry out my eyes. I can't believe no doctor ever told me this until I was in my 30s. All of those past years I just had no idea why my contact lenses would just dry up and fall out and to see with contacts I had to keep blinking to get them to focus if I wanted to read anything or focus on anything. I then switched to glasses and found my eyes were still dry.
My doctor said he would order plugs but never got around to it.
Hes slow on stuff like that. He ordered me restasis and it has helped somewhat and now I can at least focus on something a little better but still can't return to wearing contacts and I have scars on my eyes from the contacts. I might have to be done with contacts.
I also find it hard to get the right prescription with contacts due to the dryness.

Its actually a great and helpful piece of info. Im satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us.

I have tried Restasis twice over the years and it has not worked. I gave it a good three months trial both times, which I understood was the correct time frame to see if it works. However, today the doctor said sometimes it can take six months to work. Gee, thanks, doc, it would have been nice if you had told me a few years ago it can take six months; I would have given it a longer trial and maybe found help for my dry eye. But now I am reading what some of you say about lymphoma risk so maybe it's good Restasis didn't work for me.

I have also tried punctal plugs in the past and they did not work.

The doctor has in the past also suggested those Omega-3 prescription supplements but why should I spend $40 a month for something which duplicates the fish oil and D and E which I already take daily? But if my insurance would pay for it I would give it a try.

I have had dry eye since the mid 90s since I started wearing contacts. I can't wear contacts every day but I try on those days my eyes are not too irritated to put them in, which is usually not allergy/pollen season where I live.

I had 0.0 on my dry eye test and one eye is 3 and other 6 after year on Restasis and eye drops and plugs.Nothing seems to work for me.I'm retired now but could never hold a job anymore-eyes are so sensitive to any kind of light.

Yep, the plugs helped me a bit. Restasis didn't do a thing.

I found that nutrition is the only thing that worked for me after 3 years of dryness, eye drops and punctal plugs and all the other daily rituals