PURPOSE: Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). This survey of eyecare providers aimed to examine real-world utilization and outcomes of lifitegrast in the treatment of patients with DED.

METHOD: Eyecare providers (ECPs: ophthalmologists and optometrists) treating patients with DED were invited to complete a provider survey. The survey included items regarding practice characteristics, lifitegrast utilization, satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs). Satisfaction with lifitegrast relative to other prescription eye drops was rated on a scale from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied). ECPs also provided case study data for up to five patients with DED who initiated lifitegrast treatment.

RESULTS: 12 ECPs treated an average of 1288 patients with DED annually, with 21% of these patients, on average, receiving lifitegrast. Nearly all ECPs (92%) reported treating contact lens–induced DED with lifitegrast. Other predominant uses of lifitegrast included prior to or after refractive or cataract surgery (83% each). Two-thirds (67%) of ECPs reported near/complete symptom resolution in patients after 1-3 months of lifitegrast treatment. Satisfaction ratings (mean [range]) for onset and effectiveness were 6.8 (3-9) and 6.6 (3-9), respectively. 7 ECPs provided 36 case reports of patients (mean age, 51 years; mean number of follow-up visits, 5) with aqueous deficient (39%), evaporative (14%), or mixed (47%) DED. Case report data indicated that improvement was sustained throughout treatment, with a mean duration of 29 months (range, 1-69). 58% of ECPs reported that at least 1 patient experienced an AE during lifitegrast treatment; all AEs were mild or moderate in severity. AEs considered by the ECPs as related to lifitegrast use included blurred vision, burning/stinging, and dysgeusia.

CONCLUSION: Findings from this real-world survey of ECPs highlight the rapid and durable response associated with lifitegrast for the treatment of patients with DED. AEs were consistent with the known safety profile of lifitegrast.