Key takeaways
Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) and Restasis (cyclosporine) are both prescription eye drops used to treat dry eyes. However, they belong to different medication classes and work in distinct ways. Miebo is a semifluorinated alkane that forms a protective layer on the eye to prevent tears from evaporating, while Restasis is an immunosuppressant that reduces inflammation and helps your eyes produce more tears. Miebo is applied four times a day, whereas Restasis is used twice daily. Miebo is only available as a brand-name medication, but Restasis has a lower-cost generic option. Common side effects of Miebo include blurry vision and eye redness, while Restasis often causes a burning sensation in the eye. Both medications should not be used with contact lenses, but the waiting time before reinserting lenses is 30 minutes for Miebo and 15 minutes for Restasis.
