Comparison of Treatments
Issue | ReTEAR | Xiidra | Restasis |
|---|---|---|---|
Improvement of Symptoms | Fast 95% of patients improve | Slow 15% of patients improve | Slowest 3 months 15% of patients improve |
Average Cost | $175/month. | $675/month. * | $715/month. * |
Dosing | 1 or 2 times/day | 2 times/day, 12 hrs apart | 2 times/day, 12 hrs apart |
Side Effects
| NONE ** | Burning, Redness, Blurry, Metalic Taste, Loss of Taste | Burning, Red Eye, Pain, Blurry Vision, Swelling |
Formulation & Application method | Cream applied to eyelid skin surface | Eye drops inside the eye | Eye drops inside the eye |
Mode of Action | Activates natural tear production | Inhibits immune system T cells | Suppresses immune system T cells |
Contact lens precautions | Can use while wearing contacts | Do NOT use while wearing contacts *** | Do NOT use while wearing contacts *** |
Source of Medication & Active Ingredient
| Natural herb (Jaborandi/Pilocarpine) from Amazon Rainforest. | Lifitegrast Synthasized in a laboratory | Fungus (Trichoderma Polysporum) Cyclosporine-A eye drops |
In use since | The 1870's | July, 2016 | October, 2003 |
* Not covered by MSP or insurance. Approximate price per GoodRx.
**Super sensitive skin to makeup or skin care products can show irritation
*** Wait 15 minutes after using Xiidra before you put in your contacts
*** Wait 15 minutes after using Restasis before you put in your contacts