AAOpt 2025: A real-world assessment of dry eye relief in habitual drop users

Jennifer Tsai, OD, presented results from a recent study evaluating preservative-free eye drops in habitual drop users with dry eyes during the American Academy of Optometry's Academy 2025 meeting in Boston Massachusetts. Her poster presentation, "Real-World Assessment of a Preservative-Free Lubricating Eye Drop in Habitual Drops to Users with Dry Eyes," highlighted the key findings from the prospective cross-sectional study.

A total of 622 patients participated in the study and were self-identified dry eye sufferers in the US and were recruited online through a representative consumer panel. Eligible patients included those who had used OTC artificial tears/lubricants in the 6 months prior to the study, and had confirmed dry eye symptoms as demonstrated in their Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores at screening. Patients were categorized as having mild (39%), moderate (31%), or moderate/severe (30%) dry eye at baseline by OSDI. Of the patients included in the study, 34% used OTC drops for allergies, while 38% used drops for eye redness. Almost a quarter (23%) of participants were contact lens wearers.

Participants were then administered a drop of Blink Boost (Bausch + Lomb) from a masked bottled and completed questionnaires that assessed product performance immediately after instillation and at 4, 8, and 10 hours after instillation. Between all 4 time points, between 90-92% of participants reported that their eyes felt better. As for symptomatic relief, a majority of patients reported that their eye did not feel gritty (92%) or irritated (90%), and instead felt comfortable (92%), moisturized (90%), soothed (86%), hydrated (90%), and relieved (71%).

Thus, the real-world findings demonstrated that Blink Boost drops provided immediate relief from dry eye symptoms. Additionally, improved hydration, moisturization, comfort, and symptom relief were all achieved after using the drops regardless of OSDI severity, but particularly for those with moderate dry eyes.