The first new DED drug in more than 13 years is finally here. How does it work and what are the potential implications for optometry?

Studies estimate more than 30 million patients suffer from dry eye disease (DED) in the United States alone, but less than one million are receiving medical treatment.^1,2 This is a huge population—estimated to be more than 10 times that of other common conditions such as glaucoma—in need of awareness, diagnosis and treatment.³ Most patients believe dry eyes and contact lens discomfort are normal parts of aging and don’t mention them to their doctors. This disconnect may leave millions of patients untreated or left to progress to advanced levels before they begin treatment, making it difficult and frustrating to manage. 

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Dr. Dexter's Take

I'm sure you've all heard the buzz going around about the new topical medication for the treatment of dry eye disease, Xiidra. You've also all probably seen the commercials with Jennifer Aniston talking about eyelove. But, does this drop actually work? How does it work? How quickly do the patients note improvement. And how is it different than the current drug on the market? This article by Review of Optometry answers all of these questions and more! 

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