cat has dry eye

I have adopted a cat from a shelter/rescue.  He had rust colored dried discharge under his eyes.  When I took him to my vet to have him checked out, she said he had conjunctivitis and that she hoped it could be cleared up, depending on how long he lived with this infection.  In two weeks when he returned his eyes still looked red and she checked him for dry eye.  One eye had very little moisture, and the other was low, but better than the one.  she said he would have to be on artificial tears for his life time, and eventually would have to be switched to cyclosporine ( human's brand of Restasis).   Anyone out there had this with their kitty?