AIMS: Despite the prevalence and burden of dry eye disease (DED), there are potential gaps in diagnosis, professional assessment and treatment engagement. To better understand individuals’ perspective of dry eye, a multinational survey was conducted to ask about symptoms, interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and treatments.

METHODS: Two cohorts were recruited to complete an online survey during 2025 in five countries (France, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the UK), one representing the general population and the other people with dry eye. No formal diagnosis of DED was required. Data were descriptive, and no inferential statistical analyses were conducted or formal between-country comparisons were made.

RESULTS: Survey data were collected from 5152 participants (2580 from the general population and 2572 with dry eye) across the five countries. In the general population, 14–39% (lowest country response to highest country response) reported experiencing regular dry eye. HCP-diagnosed DED was reported by 13–25% of the general population and 39–61% of the population with dry eye. For participants who had visited an HCP about dry eye, most were not under active treatment by a doctor for dry eye (44–76%); ≥50% of initial discussions with HCPs about dry eye were during an appointment for a different reason. For those that had not consulted an HCP, the most frequent reason was that they did not consider their problem severe enough (32–49%).

CONCLUSIONS: The survey data indicated a gap between self-reported dry eye symptoms and self-reported HCP diagnosis and opportunities for improved awareness and knowledge among people with dry eye. Improvements in patient knowledge and better HCP understanding of patients’ needs could optimise outcomes and shift treatment to a personalised, patient-centric approach.