Bausch + Lomb's new dry eye survey data usher in campaign for patient education

Approximately 150 million U.S. adults experience occasional or frequent symptoms of dry eye. Image credit: AdobeStock/TatjanaMeininger

Bausch + Lomb has announced the launch of a new campaign in light of new survey data concerning patient awareness and education about dry eye.¹ The campaign, Eyes Tell the Story: The Impact of Dry Eye, will work to educate the public about dry eye by means of personal stories and survey data to encourage patients to speak to their eye care provider about their symptoms, according to a news release.

“Approximately 150 million U.S. adults experience occasional or frequent symptoms of dry eye, with around 38 million living with chronic dry eye, also known as dry eye disease,” said Yehia Hashad, MD, executive vice president of research and development and chief medical officer at Bausch + Lomb, in the release. “By spotlighting these personal stories, we hope to help more people recognize their dry eye symptoms sooner so they will seek and find relief.”

This year’s survey involved dry eye sufferers who are using either a prescription treatment or an over-the-counter (OTC) product, and supports the need for more patient education to address misconceptions concerning dry eye. The survey found that 78% of sufferers either strongly or somewhat agree that they wish they had more resources and education on dry eye. The company also cites that although most patients involved in the survey are satisfied with their understanding of dry eye, 62% mistakenly assume or aren’t sure whether dry eye resolves itself after some treatment. As many as 68% of OTC users and 53% of prescription users also share the same position. Almost half (43%) of survey participants also incorrectly believed or weren’t sure dry eye was a temporary condition, with 42% not knowing or being unsure whether dry eye requires long-term treatment.¹

The survey also found that despite experiencing symptoms of dry eye, 40% of dry eye sufferers waited 6 or more months before visiting their eye care provider for care. Once in the chair, 88% of patients treated with a prescription either strongly or somewhat agreed that they wished they had started their medication sooner. Additionally, once patients received care, 71% reported that having a product that provides consistent relief over time was important to them, with 50% of patients most wanting treatment to address eye dryness.¹

“Don’t delay,” said Hashad in the release. “Relief can come in many forms – from over-the-counter drops and nutritional supplements to prescription treatments from a doctor – but the sooner you seek relief, the better.”

The Eyes Tell the Story campaign is part of the Know Your Dry Eye educational campaign that was launched in 2024 and featured data from Bausch + Lomb’s first State of Dry Eye survey. This year’s campaign was created in collaboration with photographer and artist Kayte Demont, who captured portraits of those who live with daily disruptions of dry eye symptoms like herself. Interior designer, lifestyle content creator, and men’s health advocate Alvin Wayne, and fashion, lifestyle, and parenting blogger Brianne Manz are among the patients featured in the campaign.¹

To learn more about the campaign, visit the company’s website for additional information and dry eye resources. Patients can also share their own dry eye story via the website, with the potential to be featured in next year’s Dry Eye Awareness Month (July) campaign.¹

Reference:

1. Bausch + Lomb combines patient voices and new survey insights to combat persistent misconceptions about dry eye. News release. Bausch + Lomb. July 1, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025.