Key takeaways:
Restasis (cyclosporine) is a twice-daily prescription eye drop for chronic dry eye that can help you make more natural tears.
Common Restasis side effects include eye burning or stinging, red eyes, and watery eyes. It can also make you feel like you have something stuck in your eye.
With proper use, the risk of serious Restasis side effects is low. But improper use can cause eye injuries or raise the risk of eye infections.
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Most people have experienced dry eye at some point. But for some people, it can be an everyday problem. In fact, over 16 million U.S. people have chronic dry eye.
If over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears aren’t enough, your eye doctor might recommend Restasis (cyclosporine). This prescription eye drop is FDA approved for chronic dry eye. It can help you make more natural tears to hydrate your eyes.
Restasis can be a helpful medication. But there are some side effects to be aware of. The good news is most Restasis side effects, such as eye stinging or itching, are mild and temporary. But it’s still helpful to know what you can expect.
Good to know: Restasis comes as single-use vials and multidose bottles (Restasis MultiDose). The side effects discussed in this article are the same for both forms.
Restasis side effects at a glance
Restasis side effects generally only affect the eye. Whole body side effects aren’t typical. That’s because very little of the medication reaches your bloodstream.
Common or mild Restasis side effects include:
Eye burning
Itchy eyes
Eye stinging
Red eyes
Feeling like something’s stuck in your eye (foreign body sensation)
Watery eyes
Eye discharge (eye boogers)
Blurry vision
Eye pain
Rare but serious Restasis side effects include:
Eye injury
Eye infections
Allergic reactions
It may take up to 6 months for Restasis to start working. Patience and consistency are key. Don’t be discouraged if you experience some of the mild Restasis side effects discussed below. Many will fade as your dry eye symptoms improve.
Below, we’ll detail nine Restasis side effects and how to manage them.
1. Eye burning or stinging
The most common Restasis side effect is eye burning or stinging. It typically happens right after placing the drops into the eyes. This should be temporary and go away on its own shortly after using Restasis.
For most people, this side effect isn’t severe enough to make them stop using Restasis. Eye burning also typically gets better after you’ve used Restasis for a while. People using Restasis for 3 years reported less burning than people using Restasis for only 1 year.
When does Restasis start working? Pharmacists answer this and other common questions about Restasis (cyclosporine).
How to use: Make sure you are using Restasis properly by following these easy steps.
Restasis savings: Using Restasis shouldn’t have to break the bank. Read how you can save on your Restasis prescription.
2. Itchy eyes
Eye itchiness is also commonly reported by people using Restasis. Like eye burning, this side effect is usually mild and happens right after the drops are applied to the eye. It also generally gets better or goes away the longer you use Restasis.
Pharmacist tip: Restasis should be stored at room temperature long term. But chilling it in the fridge for a few minutes before using it can help lessen symptoms like burning, stinging, or itching. Don’t forget to keep Restasis at room temperature after you apply the drops.
3. Red eyes
Your eyes may become red while using Restasis. Red eyes are usually a lingering symptom of dry eye. It should go away after you’ve used Restasis for a while and your dry eye improves.
This Restasis side effect should be mild and affect both eyes similarly. If you notice that only one eye is red or you’re also experiencing eye pain, contact a healthcare professional. These could be symptoms of an eye infection or injury (more on those later).
4. Foreign body sensation in the eyes
Foreign body sensation is the medical term for feeling like there’s something in your eye. It’s a side effect of Restasis, but it’s also a symptom of dry eye itself. This side effect will likely get better as your dry eye improves.
It’s also common to feel like there’s something in your eye as you place the drop. The medication first makes contact with your eye, spreads across its surface, and then gets absorbed. As the medication absorbs into your eye, this sensation should disappear. Try not to rub your eye right after using Restasis.
5. Watery eyes or eye discharge
Your eye can become watery while using Restasis. This could potentially be a sign that the medication is working, since it helps improve tear production.
Watery eyes can also be a reflex from feeling like you have something in your eye. These tears may form to wash away anything your body thinks is not supposed to be on the eye.
You may also notice some eye discharge (eye boogers) while using Restasis. Similar to watery eyes, eye mucus can be a result of your eyes trying to get rid of something foreign on your eye.
Make sure to blot any excess tears or wipe away discharge gently with a clean tissue. Using your hands could increase your risk of eye infection.
6. Blurry vision
Restasis can cause temporary blurry vision. When the medication drop is placed onto the eye, it can block clear vision for a short time. This effect should go away as the medication spreads across your eye and is absorbed. If this happens to you, make sure to set aside a few minutes after using Restasis before attempting to drive.
Blurry vision is also a common dry eye symptom. So if you’re noticing this issue throughout the day, it’s most likely being caused by dry eye itself. Blurry vision due to dry eye should go away as Restasis starts working.
7. Eye pain
Some people using Restasis have experienced eye pain during treatment. As with most side effects discussed here, eye pain may be a symptom of dry eye. Pain or discomfort caused by Restasis is typically mild and temporary.
Talk to your prescriber if eye pain is preventing you from using Restasis. You should also tell your prescriber if your eye pain is severe or lasts longer than a few minutes after applying Restasis. This could be a symptom of more serious Restasis side effects, such as an eye injury or infection.
8. Eye injury
Eye injury is a rare but serious Restasis side effect. It typically happens if you’re not using Restasis correctly. Be careful not to touch the tip of the Restasis vials or bottle to your eye. If you have low dexterity, consider using an eyedrop application device or having someone else apply Restasis for you.
Talk to your eye care professional about wearing contact lenses before starting Restasis. Contacts can cause dry eye. And you may not be able to wear them if you have severe symptoms.
If you’ve been given the OK to wear contact lenses, be sure to remove them before applying Restasis. Then, wait at least 15 minutes after placing your drops before putting them back in.
9. Eye infection
Eye infections, such as pink eye, can happen if your Restasis vial or bottle becomes contaminated with bacteria. Applying your eye drops properly can help you avoid this serious Restasis side effect.
Be sure to wash your hands before applying Restasis. Avoid touching the tip of the bottle or vial to your eye or any other surfaces. Single-use vials should be used immediately after opening. And any remaining medication in open vials should be thrown away. Multi-use bottles should be stored with the cap tightly on.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you think you have an eye infection. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and sticky discharge or crusting around the eye. Eye infections caused by bacteria will require treatment with antibiotic eye drops.
Frequently asked questions
Other prescription medications are available for treating dry eye. Some alternatives to Restasis include Xiidra (lifitegrast) and Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). There are also a few other eye drops that contain cyclosporine, the same active ingredient as Restasis. Examples include Cequa and Veyve. Talk to your eye care professional about which Restasis alternative might be right for you.
Talk to your eye care specialist before stopping Restasis. There aren’t any withdrawal concerns with stopping Restasis. But your dry eye symptoms will likely return if they’re not treated. If you’re going to stop Restasis, your eye care team can help you figure out what you should do instead.
No, Restasis shouldn’t affect blood pressure. The cyclosporine in Restasis is absorbed directly into the eye and doesn’t reach the rest of the body. So it doesn’t have the same side effects that happen with oral cyclosporine pills used for organ transplants and autoimmune conditions.
Other prescription medications are available for treating dry eye. Some alternatives to Restasis include Xiidra (lifitegrast) and Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). There are also a few other eye drops that contain cyclosporine, the same active ingredient as Restasis. Examples include Cequa and Veyve. Talk to your eye care professional about which Restasis alternative might be right for you.
Talk to your eye care specialist before stopping Restasis. There aren’t any withdrawal concerns with stopping Restasis. But your dry eye symptoms will likely return if they’re not treated. If you’re going to stop Restasis, your eye care team can help you figure out what you should do instead.
No, Restasis shouldn’t affect blood pressure. The cyclosporine in Restasis is absorbed directly into the eye and doesn’t reach the rest of the body. So it doesn’t have the same side effects that happen with oral cyclosporine pills used for organ transplants and autoimmune conditions.
The bottom line
Restasis (cyclosporine) helps treat chronic dry eye and can help boost your natural tear production. The most common Restasis side effects are eye burning, eye redness, and watery eyes. Restasis can also make you feel like you have something stuck in your eye. Mild side effects typically go away on their own.
More serious Restasis side effects, such as eye injury or infection, can happen but are rare. Using Restasis properly helps to prevent serious complications.
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References
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Allergan. (2024). Restasis- cyclosporine emulsion [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bensinger, R. E. (2017). Is stopping Restasis dangerous? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Bhavsar, A. R. (2025). Why does it feel like something is rubbing against my eye when I blink? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
de Oliveria, R. C., et al. (2019). Practical guidance for the use of cyclosporine ophthalmic solutions in the management of dry eye disease. Clinical Ophthalmology.
Kaleem, M., et al. (2025). Contemporary eye drop aids. Glaucoma Research Foundation.
Markoulli, M., et al. (2017). Contact lens wear and dry eyes: challenges and solutions. Clinical Optometry.
Mukamal, R. (2016). Facts about tears. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
National Eye Institute. (2025). Dry eye. National Institute of Health.
