I’ve attempted every solution out there. This is the daily schedule I’ve fine-tuned that’s effective for me. I’m not claiming it’s a universal fix, but it might assist others.
I still have occasional days where my eyes are bothered, but 90% of the time I’m functioning normally.
Prescription: Generic cyclosporine.
My ophthalmologist suggested twice a day, 12 hours apart, but technically it can be used up to four times daily. I use it as needed because I don’t experience side effects. I always make sure to get the two base doses in.
OTC drops: I don’t use any. Honestly, they’re terrible and a total waste of cash. I spend $30 for a half-year supply of cyclosporine, whereas a tiny bottle of OTC drops costs $17 and does nothing. I just use an extra dose of cyclosporine if my eyes feel dry.
Note: It took about five months of cyclosporine before my eyes felt stable compared to their worst state.
At night: I use an eye mask to block airflow and apply Optase gel. I also tape my eyes closed with 3M micropore tape. This part is vital for trapping moisture overnight so I wake up feeling good. I have nocturnal lagophthalmos (my eyes don’t stay shut), which is why I need the tape, so you might not need that part if you don’t have that issue lol.
That’s pretty much it. I found that lid scrubs and warm compresses either didn’t help or made things worse, but I don’t have blepharitis.
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What’s your specific diagnosis? Is it MGD, aqueous deficiency, or both?
Happy to hear you’re doing better. Knowing which type of DED you have would be really helpful context. If you just wanted to share your success, then congratulations! 
Which specific Optase gel are you using?
I’ve also noticed that standard OTC drops don’t do much. I wasn’t aware cyclosporine could be applied more than twice daily. Thank you!
To be honest, your surroundings matter a lot as well. Dust in your pillow can just worsen inflammation while you sleep. I used iDustMite covers on my pillows, which ended that scratchy morning sensation. It blocks allergens so your drops can work more effectively.
For some, even twice-daily cyclosporine is tough, let alone four times. Plus, it can actually cause more dryness right after you use it, so people should be careful. I’m not sure how bad your case was, but DED and MGD vary in severity. Could you share more about your specific levels?
My routine involves Cequa twice a day, serum drops every four hours, and iVIZIA when necessary. Some days are tougher than others. My eye’s surface was so compromised by dryness that it was actually wrinkling. I had to get yearly procedures to manage that for a while. However, my eyes improved so much last year that I didn’t need the procedure. I think autologous drops played a big role in the recovery. I also supplement with primrose, krill, flaxseed oils, eye vitamins, and Omega 7. I’m still adjusting things. I deal with hypothyroidism and have historically been deficient in iron, B12, D3, and selenium. I use green drinks for nutrients and stick to a dairy-free, gluten-free diet with plenty of fresh vegetables.