Hi,
I've been reading thru this thread just now and have to chime in - 26 years post op, so have lots of experience. My right eye produces no tears, so I completely know the pain and frustration. First, ointment is the only, and I underscore ONLY, thing that gives me relief. I use it 24/7, do not waste my money on drops or gels. I never get total relief, but my cornea is in excellent condition.
I also have a tarrsohaphy. Not wild about it, but had an unbelievable opthamologist who worked in conjunction with my AN Team. Cosmetically no one really knows that I have it AND it has helped save my eye. My opthamologist and I worked together for several years and I gradually got more relief. He cauterized both my upper and lower tear ducts (after trying plugs that kept falling out), I now keep more of the scant tears that I produce. We also permanently removed most of my lower lashes that would bother my eye and agitate it more.
I also recently started patching my eye at night - should have been doing that from the beginning as it has really helped.
I just got my first prescription and thought that it would be time to explore a scleral lens. I went to the U of IL eye clinic that is associated with the Boston PROSE clinic. My new doc said that my cornea is in unbelievably excellent shape (so please, please get yourself to an opthamoligist who knows and understands AN aftermath and/or dry eye). But most importantly said that there is now a range of options I can explore before getting to a scleral lens. My first option is a NEW (2 years old at most) daily wear soft lens...normal, every day contact lens, that we have always heard should be avoided at all costs. The sample brought me instant relief that I haven't felt since my surgery decades ago. I will be fitted for them next week, and am so annxious to get them. I may be disappointed, I know, but there is great hope.
My advice to AN patients is to constantly research and advocate for yourself. Not all of our after surgery synptoms can be solved, but I am learning that more and more of them can be helped.