PURPOSE: To characterize early adopters of perfluorohexyloctane (PFHO) and 90-day refill rates after the first prescription, overall and compared to a cohort initiating cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (CsA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients =18 years newly initiating PFHO or CsA between September and November 2023 were identified in IQVIA open-source medical and pharmacy claims databases (date of first claim = index date). Demographics, index prescription characteristics, 12-month baseline clinical characteristics, and 90-day refill rates were descriptively compared between cohorts. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to evaluate factors associated with the adjusted odds of 90-day refill of the respective index therapy.

RESULTS: The final sample included 7,209 PFHO and 75,871 CsA patients (mean age: 60.6 and 66.6 years; 79.9% and 80.4% female; 67.0% and 39.4% third party payer; respectively). In total, 75.9% of PFHO patients received their prescription through the mail while 92.2% of CsA patients received it through the retail setting. Only 38.5% of PFHO and 33.3% of CsA patients had a diagnosis of dry eye disease (DED) over the 12-month baseline period. Nearly half (46.6%) of PFHO patients used at least one different DED medication over the 12-month baseline compared to 8.1% of CsA patients. Over the 90-day follow-up, most (72.0%) PFHO patients refilled the prescription for their index therapy compared to 37.4% of CsA patients. In the multivariable logistic regression model, PFHO patients had 72% higher likelihood of refilling their index prescription within 90-days compared to CsA patients (adjusted odds ratio: 1.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.60-1.86).

CONCLUSION: High DED medication use among PFHO patients in the 12-month period prior to treatment initiation suggests that prior medication may not have resolved their DED symptoms. The higher 90-day refill rate for PFHO versus CsA indicates a higher degree of patient satisfaction with this new, first-in-class treatment for DED.