Dry eye an area of prime interest to ODs and MDs in 2025

The diagnosis and treatment of dry eye came under an intense spotlight in 2025 and garnered a great deal of interest from the profession. Here are a few articles in Optometry Times that received high readership scores during the previous months.

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

Bausch + Lomb announced their new campaign, entitled Eyes Tell the Story: The Impact of Dry Eye, as a result of new survey data concerning patient awareness and education about dry eye.^1,2 The campaign’s goals is to educate the public about dry eye by means of personal stories and survey data.

In a company press release, the dry eye symptoms, redness, fluctuating vision, a scratchy, gritty, tired or heavy feeling, or overall eye irritation, were not associated with eye dryness by the survey respondents.

Bausch & Lomb reported that the key findings of the survey were:

• Dry eye impacts quality of life.
• Dry eye interferes with day-to-day activities.
• Most Americans have little knowledge of dry eye, regarding treatment and recognition of the disorder.
• When untreated, dry eye may worsen and progress to dry eye disease, affecting ocular health and vision.

Cecilia Koettnig, OD, pointed out the importance of this survey. “I’m excited about Bausch + Lomb’s new consumer and patient education campaign," she said. "Many patients have questions about dry eye and need better, more reliable resources. It’s important for them to understand that dry eye isn’t something they should simply accept as ‘normal’, there are effective treatments available, and they should feel empowered to talk with their eye care providers about their symptoms.”

Aldeyra submits third reproxalap new drug application for the treatment of dry eye disease

Aldeyra resubmitted an NDA for reproxalap to address FDA concerns and demonstrate efficacy in treating dry eye disease symptoms.³

This followed the FDA issuance of two complete response letters in April 2025 and November 2023 for past submissions. In the latter, the FDA said that the NDA did not demonstrate “efficacy in treating ocular symptoms associated with dry eyes” and that “at least 1 additional adequate and well-controlled study to demonstrate a positive effect on the treatment of ocular symptoms of dry eye” should be conducted.

In the more recent NDA, the FDA said the NDA “failed to demonstrate efficacy in adequate and well-controlled studies in treating ocular symptoms associated with dry eyes” and called for “at least 1 additional adequate and well-controlled study to demonstrate a positive effect on the treatment of ocular symptoms of dry eye” should be conducted, mirroring the prior complete response letter.

No manufacturing or safety issues were identified at either time point.

The most recent NDA includes new clinical data from the recently completed dry eye chamber trial, which achieved the primary end point.⁴

An update⁵ was posted on December 15, 2025, when the FDA extended the drug’s Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date to March 16, 2026, after requesting additional data from the clinical study.

Exposure to green space linked to lower odds of dry eye disease development

Chinese researchers⁶ showed that increased exposure to green spaces significantly reduces the risk of developing dry eye disease. This finding highlights urban planning's vital role in public health.

In part 1 of the two-part study, the authors investigated the relationship between green space and development of dry eye in 450 patients with dry eye and 900 controls. The investigators reported that “higher 10-year green space exposure was significantly associated with lower odds of dry eye (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, rainfall, temperature, particulate matter, and other factors.

Part 2 included 140 patients with diabetes who were analyzed to identify an association between green space exposure and quantitative measures of the tear meniscus. The investigators found that “greater 10-year green space exposure was associated with a higher tear meniscus area (β = 0.07; 95 % CI, 0.02-0.11; P = 0.007) after adjusting for the same factors as in part 1.

In commenting on their findings, the authors said, “This research underscores the need to enhance urban planning and management, improve urban spatial organization, and promote the equitable distribution of green space. Furthermore, future research on conditions such as dry eye should account for the potential influence of green space exposure.”

“Dry eye is strongly influenced by environmental exposures, so it’s encouraging to see data suggesting that greater green space exposure may reduce risk. Green spaces offer multiple health benefits, and this research highlights yet another reason they matter,” according to Koettnig.

References:

1. Joy J. Bausch + Lomb's new dry eye survey data usher in campaign for patient education. Optometry Times 2025; published online July 1. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/bausch-lomb-s-new-dry-eye-survey-data-ushers-in-campaign-for-patient-education

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

3. Harp MD. Aldeyra submits third reproxalap new drug application for the treatment of dry eye disease. Optometry Times. 2025; published online June 17. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/aldeyra-submits-third-reproxalap-new-drug-application-for-the-treatment-of-dry-eye-disease

4. Maharjan EK. Aldeyra Therapeutics hits primary end point in 1 of 2 phase 3 trials for reproxalap. Ophthalmology Times. Published May 7, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/aldeyra-therapeutics-hits-primary-end-point-in-1-of-2-phase-3-trials-for-reproxalap

5. Harp MD. FDA extends Aldeyra's reproxalap PDUFA after requesting additional clinical study report. Ophthalmology Times. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/fda-extends-aldeyra-s-reproxalap-pdufa-after-requesting-additional-clinical-study-report

6. Charters L. Exposure to green space linked to lower odds of dry eye disease development. Optometry Times. 2025; published online August 20. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/exposure-to-green-space-linked-to-lower-odds-of-dry-eye-disease-development