Severe dry eye sydrome

I have suffered with "dry eye" for ten months now. I am on Restasis and cold/hot compresses. I had to quit driving my car. Reading is mainly audio and computer i need to squint to write or read for a little bit. Life is bad. I see an eye MD.but fear the rest of my life( i am in my sixties) will be like this it is terrible way to live.

[Christopher C Shen, MD]

For dry eyes, it is important to identify the major component that is resulting in your symptoms.  Possibilities include insufficient tear production, insufficient oil production from the eyelids, inflammatory lid conditions, or anatomic conditions resulting in insufficient lubrication from blinking (sagging eyelid, incomplete lid closure with blinking).  The restasis addresses problems with abnormal tears from inflammatory conditions and the compresses addresses insuffienct oil production from the eyelids.  If insufficient tear production is the main problem, perhaps aggressive lubrication with artificial tears or consideration of plugs placed on the eyelid to plug the tear drainage system (punctal plugs) may be of benefit.  I would consider seeing an eye MD who is a corneal specialist with an interest in dry eye for additional input if your current one does not present any other options.  Hope your condition improves.