Just wondering since my eye doctor did not give me a yes or no answer to this question. And this drug works well for me but my prescription, each time for 4 months is $215.00.
How long do you need to use Restasis? Forever?
Question posted by dog8cat on 12 Feb 2013
Last updated on 10 October 2017
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
9 Answers
Alwaysskeptical
8 Sep 2017
I never post things on internet but felt I needed to with this. I was prescribed restasis after suffering with chronic dry eyes for about 20 years and used it for 7 months and stopped because of cost. It has now been 4 years and my eyes have never felt better. Dr said I would use forever but I'm proof that might not apply to everyone.
rriebsomer
10 Feb 2017
My dry eye I was told is due to anterior basal membrane dystrophy
of the cornea. The most common source of dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction. There is also an autoimmune disease called Sjorgren's. If the problem is meibomian glands or blehparitis then the wash with baby soap will work well. I would advise everyone to get the book Reversing Dry Eye by Dr. Stephen Maskin. He goes in great detail and tells us what to do to minimize dry eye. Also, add plants to your home. NASA discovered house plants remove toxins!!!
sillys
26 Dec 2016
When I first developed dry eye I tried baby shampoo at the recommendation of mind then ophthalmologist and it does not work at all it made me 50 million times worse so I do not recommend baby shampoo for anyone that has any type of allergies or really severe dry eye! If you want to just use a wash use one of the washees that is supposed to be used for a drye eye like avenova or Ocusoft.
For two years I use steroid eyedrops/ my eye doctor had diagnosed me with ocular rosacea. The steroid drops and freshkote moisture drops helped me to have some type of life again. I sleep with humidifiers are use tranquil eyes moisture goggles at night, motorcycle sunglasses, and fresh kite and other moisture eyedrops. In that time I was diagnosed with type one diabetes and the terrible inflammation in my eyes and my body were a sign.
Right before that I had stopped the steroid eyedrops and I went back to just using just the moisture drops. Things seem to improve a little but they have gradually gotten worse again and I'm trying Restasis for the first time. My doctor told me to use steroid drop before the Restasis for a month to stop any Irritation the Restasis may cause. My Restasis is free with The card from the company and I reuse each vile until there's nothing left so I guess it's going to last a long time. So far I do have some relief I've only been using it for three days we will see what happens. This actually eventually stops the T cells which cause irritation from being produced which causes the attack on the lachrymal glands to stop. there is no way you can compare that action to baby shampoo. Baby shampoo was like an old wives tale remedy and I really do not recommend it if you have the kind of irritation that I had initially which was very red and swollen eyes. Now with the diabetes and the fluctuations in my blood sugar I'm sure that is also affecting my eyes- I do believe there is an autoimmune attack element for me. I'm hoping this is going to help me. Since the steroid was the only thing that helped me before I'm not sure right now if it's the steroids helping me or the Restasis or the combination but I guess I will find out when I stop the steroid. All I know is it feels great to have some more tears in my eyes because even though they are still dry I have two or three x a day when they start tearing and the feels wonderful.
ferminc
27 Aug 2015
For how long to use restasis?
jweiser
29 May 2014
I have used Restasis for over a year now. My eyes were so dry because of the medications I was taking; and continue to take. What a difference after 6 months.
If you go to the Restasis Web site and join their program they will send you a card to use when you pick up your refills. This card has saved me $$$$$$$ during the past year. I re-enrolled and they send me another card. You swipe it before any other payment. The savings is enormous. I am sorry, I should of kept track of it during this year. It is an excellent program. It is called the Advantage Patient Support Pack when you get it.
stellasasha
22 Oct 2014
I am now 53, have used restasis for about 5 years... diagnosed w/ chronic dry eye. With insurance propelling RX prices ever upward, i recently took note of a conversation my 58 yo pilot husband had with 2 surgeon squash-playing surgeons. They talked about vision issues etc. and dry eye came up. My hubby mentioned i have it, longtime user, etc. You would not believe what the surgeons suggested: stop cold, using restasis and twice a day for 10 seconds wash your eyes with BABY SHAMPOO! I am a scientist and was keptical. Its 2 weeks later, and restasis is a distant memory. Try it. I am happy to spare the expense, and need no RX. Consider: doctors can't explain how restasis works...
Give it a try. I am floored. No more $100 restasis prescriptions for me and my eyes are JUST FINE. NO discomfort.
lovehealthjoy
13 May 2015
StellaSasha in your Oct 22/2014 post you say you use baby shampoo now instead of Restasis & have found success! I have been on Restasis for over 2 years now & have severe chronic dry eyes . I have also had my tear ducts surgically plugged. My eyes are in constant pain & using Restasis is incredibly painful. I am so willing to try the baby shampoo idea. Do you close your eyes & wash them or do you make an eye bath with the baby shampoo? Also, is there a particular brand to look for? I usually choose all natural products- will that work?
elisej
16 Aug 2015
Did the person who uses baby shampoo ever post a response to the "brand" and use questions?
stellasasha
16 Aug 2015
I am really sorry to hear that so many other women are getting sucked into spending mega bucks for a drug which for all practical purposes the scientific community knows that it does make your eyes produce tears but they cannot explain the exact mechanism of how it works. I posted on this forum about a year ago that after a long 5 year stint or more of using Restasis, I found that washing my eyes twice a day with eyes closed just a hearty wash with baby shampoo rendered the need for Restasis futile. I have not used Restasis in almost a year I'm 54 now. My question is this: if the medical science community cannot explain how Restasis produces tears then I really don't have an explanation for how baby shampoo washes twice a day has stopped my need for Restasis. I really don't know, all I know is I have not used it I have not needed it, it's expensive.
I decided to take a chance and use a different remedy that my husband heard some fellow squash players (who were doctors)talking about and the a remedy for dry eye instead of restasis simply lent credence to the fact that another strategy might work that cost pennies compared to hundreds of dollars. Seriously, all I do is wash my eyes with eyes closed twice a day with baby shampoo. Maybe it's a cause they have not identified like a bacterial cause I don't know. I also think that living in a suburban area like metro Atlanta where I live the air is not really that clean. All this being said, if you really want to see if you can do without it don't use Restasis a whole month (which is the advice my eye doctor gave me a long time ago to see if I really needed it just don't use a whole month).
All I know is it's almost been a year now that I have not used restasis. I even still have an unopened box!
stellasasha
16 Aug 2015
I tried to respond to elisej - but can't --- >This member's answers are private.
In any case, for the baby shampoo substitution for Restasis, I have used both off brand and the Johnson and Johnson brand and found no difference whatsoever. Give any a try. It's just me, but if I heard a cadre of doctors commenting on the true utility of a product that costs a LOT of money - and then heard them say "try something else - it will work" - and over a year I proved that it did - I would opt to do that. I am a scientist, and I know there are sooo many things we have yet to explain... this may be one of them. Meanwhile, the drug company is RAKING it in $$! I am not against profits - don't get me wrong. I'm pure capitalist - but if there is a simple answer for something and the simple answer works, why, do yourself a favor and try it ;)
Flashone2
13 Oct 2015
Thanks u Stellasasha for ur info on the baby shampoo!! It has and is working wonders for me. I have been off Restasis for about two months now and can't thank u enough . I also use a q tip and mix the shampoo with the water and clean bottom eyelashes with it then use the other side with plain water to rinse, close eyes and wash again with shampoo and water mixture then rinse wipe gently even bottom eyelids and I do this morning and night works wonder and is less expensive then the coast of Restasis! I encourage anyone out there with chronic dry eyes to try this it works ! I was a skeptic at first, ut no longer!
stellasasha
13 Oct 2015
The best and easiest way to wash your closed eyes (really the lash lines) is to put a few drops on your fingers and for 10-15 seconds use gentle circular lathering motion. Rinse well with water. No Q-tips needed, do it twice a day. My ENT doctor also told me his patients use baby shampoo to wash out nostrils following surgery. There must be a biofilm of some kind that is at the heart of the dry eye phenomenon. I am not an MD - so try this washing for yourself and see - and if still no relief at all, seek advice from your physician. I remain restasis-need-free. This medication is VERY expensive both to patients and insurance companies. #simplesolutionsaregreat
mom3kids98
24 Oct 2015
Hello, is the baby shampoo bathe is for "dry eye" not the outside of the eyes? Like dry and red eyelids? Thanks!
elisej
24 Oct 2015
Stellasasha I am going to try the J&J baby shampoo. I live in Toronto and it is sooo dry in the winter months. Weill let you know how it goes.
threemc99
19 Aug 2016
I just picked up my first 3 month run of restasis... 1200 bucks. My eyes hurt worse when I looked at the receipt! Anyway, does the baby shampoo thing really work? How does that help the lack of tear production? My case is extremely severe, and the idea of having to spend this kind of money for the rest of my life... actually shortens I think.
rpao99
14 Sep 2016
I tried the baby shampoo wash with both the clear Aveeno wash and the J&J clear baby shampoo/wash. I didnt use the original yellowish formula as it had more chemicals. I found out my eyes did not like the slimy/slippery residue of the washes. I used Cetaphil and it was OK. I think it's on the right track that there is a mild infection going on, that triggers the dryness and redness. I have used other methods to control the infection and it seems to be helping, after only a day or two. Appreciate all the comments here. They have pointed me in the right direction.
kelbel2u
2 April 2017
I've also heard that baby shampoo is the best eyelid cleaner! My dad's been using it for YEARS! I just never thought that my "Dry Eye" condition was actually a build up that was at the base of my Eyelashes!! I had cataract surgery in both eyes 18 months ago, and have had nothing but problems with irritation & "Dry Eyes" since! I've been using OTC tears with no relief at all. It was extremely painful to open my eyes after sleeping. I started taking prescription allergy drops which helped some. I was then given steroid drops to use 4X a day. THAT worked well, but I can't stay on them for long term. I was just given another prescription for Avenova (some kind of "Lid Scrub"). My doctor doesn't understand that I'm not as wealthy as him!! I can't afford all these prescriptions! The last visit, I was told he was going to put me on Restasis if this new prescription didn't work for me.
I DON'T THINK SO!!! I'm a bit peeved he didn't EXPLAIN this buildup at the lash base WAS CAUSING my "Dry Eyes"!! I had to figure it out on my own! I thought it was the EXTREMELY DRY Southern Calif. weather!!
I'm SO glad I came to this site to look up the Avenova! I couldn't find it, but THIS POST came up in the search results. I AM DEFINITELY TRYING THE BABY SHAMPOO INSTEAD!!
This is my last resort! I'm hoping I'll be mad I didn't try this first!
Cricket531
10 Oct 2017
I have rocasea on my eyelids along with extreme chronic dry eyes. I wash my eyes with baby shampoo as directed by my physician, however it will NOT help "chronic" dry eye. I am now using restasis along with washing my eyes with baby shampoo, and using anti biotic cream along my eyelids. It is all helping.
gdma
13 Oct 2013
It depends on how bad a case of dry eyes you have. My opthomologist told me I would have to use it for the rest of my life. It has definitely has helped me tremendously.My cost this time around is $211.07 for 3 months. If you join the my tears my rewards program, you can get reimbursed up to $90 on out of pocket expenses for a 90 day supply. Also, my dr. told me if i keep the vials in the refrigerator, I would be able to use only one vial a day, instead of 2.This tremendously cuts down on the cost because a 3 month supply will last you 6 months. Of course, you may not be able to do this every day since you are suppose to put it in your eyes twice a day, 12 hours apart, so sometimes you may not be home.
froggylady
28 Oct 2013
Can I ask what kind of insurance you have. Mine is costing me 307.00 a month
gdma
29 Oct 2013
I have Coventry of Georgia which is thru GEHA. It is a federal government plan. I also just found out that when anyone goes on Medicare, then the " my tears my rewards program" is no longer valid.
cynthiakmilker
18 Nov 2013
I put a drop in each eye every 12 hrs, recap the tube and use it until it's empty. I wash my hands well before each use and never touch the tube to my eye to prevent contamination. This stretches my prescription out a great deal.
I've been using Restasis for going on 2 yrs now & have not contracted any eye infections during that time. I also wear contact lenses.
elisej
24 Oct 2015
You can push the little cap back on and carry the ampules with you. I keep mine in my jeans pocket so have them to use 12 hours apart. Have only been using for 2 months. With winter approaching I am finding less relief
yogakathy19
22 Sep 2013
I've used this medicine twice daily, one drop in each eye, for over one year. Just went for checkup ( ophthalmologist) and Dr told me I don't have to continue using it, or can use it occasionally as needed. Told me to come back in 2 years, so I guess its up to me - funny thing is, I never felt any different before, people were just telling me my eyes looked red! So I'll use it 2-3 times per week. She said my tear film was now normal.
elisej
24 Oct 2015
You can push the little cap back on and carry the ampules with you. I keep mine in my jeans pocket so have them to use 12 hours apart. Have only been using for 2 months. With winter approaching I am finding less relief
yellowlabs
13 Feb 2013
Yes, it is a long term drug and it is expensive. I've used it for 6 months now and I think it works great. I'm not using OTC eye drops all the time anymore. Definitely get the coupon/card as suggested by first answer. My eye doctor told me I could use 1/2 of product (in both eyes) in morning, saving other 1/2 for night. There's enough drug to do that. So you'll get double use out of your prescription & cost. The snap off top can be reused; just put it back on top of tube. Keep everything very clean and don't touch the tips with anything including your eye area. Use 2nd 1/2 for your next dose, don't save them up, if you forget just toss and start over. Hope this helps.
kaismama
12 Feb 2013
Since it causes tears to be produced, it does not cure the underlying problem, I would assume it would have to be used long term if you want to keep having moist eyes. You can go here and see about a discount mytearsmyrewards.com/
Related topics
restasis, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Restasis uses and safety info
- Restasis prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Restasis (detailed)
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