Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced the publication of results from a multinational survey examining symptoms, interactions with health care professionals (HCPs) and treatment experiences to better understand consumer perspectives on dry eye. The findings showed that self-reported dry eye symptoms were more common than reported HCP diagnosis and highlight opportunities to improve patient awareness, education and timely access to appropriate care.
“Dry eye symptoms are common and are often attributed to behavioural or environmental factors, which may contribute to confusion and delays in seeking professional advice,” said Piotr A. Wozniak, MD, PhD, lead author and refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist at Wzroq Eye Clinic in Warsaw, Poland. “The results from this large, multinational survey showed that self-reported dry eye symptoms are more common than reported health care professional diagnoses, with many respondents experiencing symptoms daily. 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. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of patient and clinician education and timely assessment to support appropriate dry eye management.”
The multinational survey Needs Unmet in Dry Eye: Symptoms, Treatment and Severity (NESTS) was conducted in two parts. Phase I surveyed a general population cohort with 2,580 respondents. Phase II included 2,572 gender-, age- and geography-matched subjects with self-reported dry eye in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Key Findings
Survey findings showed that self-reported dry eye symptoms were more common than reported HCP diagnosis. Across the five countries, 14 – 39% (lowest country response – highest country response) of respondents in the general population cohort (Phase I) reported experiencing dry eye regularly, while 13 – 25% reported an HCP diagnosis of dry eye disease (DED). Additional findings include:
Of general population respondents (Phase I), 13 – 26% experienced dry eye symptoms frequently and an additional 33 – 41% experienced them occasionally
HCP-diagnosed DED was reported by 13 – 25% of general population (Phase I) and by 39 – 61% of self-reported dry eye respondents (Phase II)
Approximately one-third of dry eye respondents in Phase II (17 – 39%) did not know whether they had been diagnosed with aqueous or evaporative dry eye
Most dry eye respondents (Phase II) had experienced dry eye symptoms for one to five years (58 – 71%), with 19 – 33% having had symptoms for six or more years
Among all dry eye respondents (Phase II), 41 – 58% experienced symptoms daily and a further 28 – 41% experienced symptoms several times a week. Fewer than 5% of dry eye sufferers reported symptoms less often than once a week
Approximately one-third (30 – 39%) of respondents’ dry eye (Phase II) had worsened in the previous year, with only 5 – 18% reporting an improvement
More than 80% of dry eye respondents (Phase II) had to modify behaviour because of their dry eye, primarily by limiting screen time (26 – 48%) and keeping eye drops on hand (35 – 51%)
Respondents with dry eye (Phase II) attributed their condition to a variety of behavioural, physiological and environmental causes, with 24 – 35% believing it to be an inevitable part of aging
Among dry eye respondents (Phase II) who had ever visited an HCP about dry eye, most reported that they were not currently receiving doctor-directed treatment for dry eye
Among those who had consulted an HCP for dry eye, up to one-quarter did not agree that they had received the best available guidance from their current healthcare professional
At least 70% of dry eye sufferers (Phase II) had used over-the-counter products at least once, with lubricant eye drops the most popular; however, the biggest concerns with dry eye treatments were the need to use them several times a day (20 – 28%) and that the perceived effect of each instillation did not last long enough (20 – 27%)
Overall, these findings suggest a gap between the frequency of self-reported dry eye symptoms and reported HCP diagnosis. They highlight opportunities for timely assessment, improved patient and clinician education, and more personalized management pathways to address the daily-life burden associated with dry eye.
Methodology
The survey was conducted between February and April 2025 in five countries (respondents in Phase I and II, respectively: UK, 508 and 506; France, 512 and 513; Germany, 507 and 523; Poland, 534 and 521; and Saudi Arabia, 519 and 509). Respondents in both cohorts were adults (aged 18 years or older), with those in the dry eye cohort self-reporting 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.
