My husband has had similar trouble with his eyes. The doctor told him to use a spray during the day and drops or gel at night right before bedtime. He's tried everything on the market and the two he likes the best are:

Nature's Tears eye mist and GenTeal lubricant eye gel. He didn't like most of the gels as they are very thick (I think the main ingredient in those is vaseline). He is very happy with the GenTeal brand.

Hope this is of some help to you and hope you find what works for you as it is a very annoying problem to have.

...but by the evening, it starts feeling as if something is in my eye, or my eyelid is trying to stick to my eye.

Because I do have eye problems [macular degeneration being one of my issues], I'm very cautious about giving advice when I hear/read about the problems like you're experiencing. That being offered...if I were you...I'd go have my eyes examined. There are too many age related eye problems that could be causing the feeling that you're having in your eye to ignore a good eye exam.

I do use eye drops for my own dryness related problems but only one doctor recommended brand [Systane]. I'd be very cautious about using anything else...at least until your optician has a look and recommends a product.

Anne

I don't have a serious problem, but since my cataract surgery I make sure I carry lubricating drops with me all the time. I find I need them more often in winter (probably because of my dry heat from the woodstove).

My doctor recommended Blink, but my favorite is Bausch & Lomb's Advanced Eye Relief for Dry Eyes. Whatever brand you get, be sure to avoid products that "get the red out."

One of my cousins has severely dry eyes following surgery to correct nearsightedness. She uses the gel at bedtime.

Just a reminder that dry eyes can be an indicator of certain diseases so it's a good idea to get checked out to make sure. Not just an eye doctor, a good health check, especially if you have arthritis, a rheumatologist is a good choice.
Sjogren's syndrome is one of them. I have it and it causes dry eyes among other things.
Please don't just assume.

See an opthamologist please. Let the doctor find out "why" you are having the dry eyes.

After my cataract surgeries, my eyes were dry, and that does also come with age my doctor said. He put plugs in my tear ducts to keep the fluid from draining into the nose and that helped a lot. He also said to use Systane eye drops.

Dr. Recommended Systane. I had temporary plugs but they didn't help me. I used Restasis but that didn't help either. I seem to do better when I take Krill oil. Fish oil helps too but I like krill better. Go get you eyes examined ASAP.

anne, raven and linda, apologies for any confusion, as I tried to keep my original post from being too lengthy. Don't worry, I'm not self diagnosing or assuming anything. I just had my annual physical and all was great except my Vitamin D levels, for which I am now taking supplements. I did see an opthamologist, who said my eyes are in good health, and feels the dryness is related to age/me starting menopause.

He told me to come back in if it became a severe problem (right now it's only at night) but otherwise to just try several brands to see which gave me the most relief. He gave me a sample of 'Refresh' which I didn't find helpful, so I bought 'Systane Ultra' and have used them for about 2 weeks. They are helpful, but I still wake up in the morning feeling like I almost have to pry open my eyelids. I was thinking of continuing with them in the evening, but buying some gel drops to use at bed time, as I've heard they may blur your vision, which won't be affected while I sleep. nizza, I think I'll try the Gen Teal gel drops for bed time and see if my eyelids open easier in the morning!

tina, if the problem gets worse and I consider plugs, are they expensive? Was it difficult/painful having them inserted and can you feel them?

Pickyshopper:

You are doing what my eye doctor and Prime Care Doctor recommends: Use lubricating eye drop as needed. Taking drops before bedtime is good if your eyes go dry during the night. My eye doctor mentioned several brands she recommended. I use Systane. One of my meds tends to cause dry eye.

Since cataract removals several years back - probably due to aging also, I get periodic bouts of dry eye. Doctor gave me a sample bottle of Systane (Balance formula); that works for me and have relied on it since. I use it only when needed which, fortunately, isn't constantly.

All these doctor recommendations for Systane (my regular optometrist recommended it too) lead me to suspect the manufacturer is doing a good job of handing out samples and possibly perks.

I was wondering that too alisande. I use Refresh Liquigel for my diagnosed dry eyes (mine is medication induced from ongoing allergy meds). And I love it! It's a medium viscosity gel, not the thick kind. I like that it has enough staying power from not being too thin, but that it's not too thick either. Middle of the road. In case you want an alternative.

Here is a link that might be useful: I agree with the reviews on this site

Restasis 2x a day. I take TheraTears omega fish oil for dry eyes and I have TheraTears over the counter eye drops.

I have always had dry eyes but never needed anything thing until, same as you, menopause.

I agree with raven in that sometimes dry eye syndrome can be a side effect of other issues. A complete physical would be a good idea too.

Thanks, Rob. I'll give it a try. Good to know!

When I got a small tumor removed below my jaw line, it left that side of my face numb for quite a while, and subsequently my right eye is dry.

For years I used a Natural Tears drops. I recently bought a package of Refresh bottles at Costco. I carry a bottle in my purse at all times and in my desk at home.

Thanks for all your responses! I'll continue my Systane drops during the early evening when my eyes go dry and I'm going to buy some gel drops just for bed time, as blurry vision while I sleep won't bother me, lol!

It doesn't hurt when they put the plugs in the tear ducts. They are very tiny.

Doctor told me to use a very warm wash cloth in the mornings and "kind of" soak the eye...So far it's helping and I haven't had to get the drops.....

The bluriness is but a moment. I use them by putting a drop on each contact when I first put them in every morning. I wear the same ones every day, not disposable ones. The drops make my contacts feel like they're brand new out of the package.

Plugs put in the tear ducts do not hurt and you can't feel them or see them. I asked if a hard sneeze or cough could cause them to come out and the doctor said "yes, but you wouldn't even know it." Since it was done on a followup after my cataract surgeries, I don't recall even being charged for him doing that.

Since you've already seen all the necessary doctors (which I, too, was going to recommend) I will say that I use Systane Ultra and find it helps the best (tried others) particularly for burning. When my dry eyes flare up, I become very sensitive to light and my eyes burn. If it's really bad at night, use the gel but it's only recommended as you are getting ready for bed because it will blur your vision. If I get up during the night (which is pretty much daily) I have difficulty opening my eyes. The Opthamologist said the eyeball is literally sticking to the eyelid and do not try to force the eyes open because you can tear the retina. I massage the eyelids with my fingertips for a couple of seconds which spreads whatever moisture around and the eyes open easily.