B+L survey: Many consumers with dry eye self-manage their symptoms

Bausch + Lomb Corporation, a leading global eye health company, announced publication of survey results that reveal consumer perspectives on dry eye. According to survey results, self-reported dry eye symptoms were more common than reported healthcare professional diagnosis, suggesting opportunities remain to improve patient awareness, education and timely access to appropriate care. Results ranged across the five countries surveyed: 14 to 39 percent of 2,580 consumers reported experiencing dry eye regularly, whereas 13 percent to 25 percent reported they received a healthcare professional diagnosis of dry eye disease.

“Dry eye symptoms are common and are often attributed to behavioral or environmental factors, which may contribute to confusion and delays in seeking professional advice,” said Piotr A. Wozniak, MD, Ph.D., lead author, refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist at the Wzroq Eye Clinic in Warsaw, Poland. “Respondents reported difficulties with screen use, reading, work productivity and driving, and many said they managed their symptoms themselves, delayed seeking care or did not seek professional care.”

The survey, titled Needs Unmet in Dry Eye: Symptoms, Treatment and Severity (NESTS), was conducted in two parts. In addition to the phase I general population cohort with 2,580 respondents, phase II included 2,572 gender-, age- and geography-matched participants with self-reported dry eye in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Additional findings in the self-reported dry eye cohort included the following:

• Thirty-nine percent to 61 percent reported a healthcare provider diagnosis of dry eye disease.
  
• Seventeen percent to 39 percent did not know whether they had been diagnosed with aqueous or evaporative dry eye.
  
• Fifty-eight percent to 71 percent experienced dry eye symptoms for one to five years, with 19 percent to 33 percent having had symptoms for six or more years.
  
• Forty-one percent to 58 percent experienced symptoms daily and a further 28 percent to 41 percent experienced symptoms several times a week.
  
• Fewer than 5 percent of dry eye sufferers reported symptoms less often than once a week.
  
• Thirty percent to 39 percent reported their dry eye had worsened in the previous year, with only 5 percent to 18 percent reporting an improvement.
  
• More than 80 percent modified their behavior because of their dry eye, including 26 percent to 48 percent limiting screen time and 35 percent to 51 percent keeping eye drops on hand.
  
• Respondents attributed their condition to a variety of behavioral, physiological and environmental causes, with 24 percent to 35 percent believing it is an inevitable part of aging.
  
• Among those who had visited a healthcare provider about dry eye, most reported that they were not currently receiving doctor-directed treatment for the condition and up to one-quarter did not agree that they had received the best available guidance from their current healthcare professional.
  
• At least 70 percent of dry eye sufferers had used over-the-counter (OTC) products at least once, and lubricant eye drops were the most popular treatment.
  
• 20 percent to 28 percent said their biggest concern with dry eye treatment was the need to use OTC products several times a day.
  
• 20 percent to 27 percent believed that the perceived effect of each OTC product did not last long enough.

“Overall, these findings highlight the importance of patient and clinician education and timely assessment to support appropriate dry eye management,” Wozniak said.

Methodology

The survey was conducted between February and April 2025 in five countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Saudi Arabia. Respondents in both cohorts were 18 years or older. Those in the dry eye cohort self-reported that they experience symptoms of dry eyes on a regular basis. The survey was carried out using an online questionnaire, with defined responses and, where relevant, the opportunity to provide an additional response.