AIM: To explore healthcare providers' (HCPs) real-world experience with Artelac lubricating eye drops in patients with dry eye disease (DED).

METHODS: This retrospective, multi-country, cross-sectional survey study included currently licensed ophthalmologists with ≥3 years' experience treating patients with DED, and ≥1 year's experience with the study drops. HCPs completed a user experience survey documenting clinical practice characteristics, lubricating drop utilisation patterns in DED, real-world clinical outcomes, and HCP satisfaction with the study drops. The protocol received central IRB exemption.

RESULTS: This interim analysis included nine HCPs from Turkey (n=3), Spain (n=2), Dubai (n=1), Germany (n=1), Poland (n=1), and Italy (n=1). Most were from a university public hospital with a teaching/research department (5/9) and/or a private clinic (5/9) and were from a range of specialties (including ocular surface disease, DED, corneal, or cataract specialists). Each HCP completed the survey based on their experience with one specific Artelac formulation: Artelac Complete (n=5), Artelac Ultra 4S (n=3), and Artelac Nightime Gel (n=1). All HCPs recommend the study drops to patients with all severities of DED, to patients pre- and post-ocular surgery, and to patients with DED induced and/or exacerbated by contact lenses. In the last year, the drops were most frequently recommended in evaporative deficiency (~mean±SE: 43%±9.2%) or both evaporative and aqueous deficiency DED (~mean±SE: 44%±8.7%) of moderate severity (~mean±SE: 43%±3.7%). Ocular comorbidities were documented in an ~mean±SE 45%±5.9% of patients, including cataracts in 29%±4.7% and glaucoma in 19%±3.3%. An ~mean±SE 41%±8.4% of patients self-reported symptom resolution after their first course of treatment with the study drops. Most HCPs reported high levels of satisfaction with the study drops, overall, and in improving individual signs and symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide important insights into lubricating drop utilisation patterns in DED treatment. HCPs reported high levels of satisfaction with Artelac, overall, and in improving individual signs and symptoms.