INFLAMMATION IS A
KEY DRIVER OF DRY EYE4

Stress to the ocular surface can cause an overexpression of inflammatory mediators, like ICAM-1. ICAM-1 binds to LFA-1, a cell surface protein found on T cells5,6

This interaction can lead to activation of T cells at multiple sites, migration of T cells to the ocular surface, and release of proinflammatory cytokines, triggering a vicious cycle of inflammation, which can lead to chronic tissue damage3,5,6

Image of an activated T cell releasing proinflammatory cytokines at the ocular surface

Up to 65% of patients with dry eye disease may have clinically significant ocular surface inflammation7

COMMON SYMPTOMS2,8

Patients living with dry eye disease may experience the following:

  • Redness iconRedness
  • Burning iconBurning
  • Irritation iconIrritation
  • Ocular pain iconOcular pain
  • Visual fluctuation iconVisual
    fluctuation
  • Foreign-body-sensation iconForeign-body sensation

Symptoms such as ocular discomfort and signs such as conjunctival hyperemia, corneal and conjunctival staining, tear hyperosmolarity, and a positive MMP-9 test may indicate the presence of ocular surface inflammation3,9

RISK FACTORS9

  • Autoimmune conditions (eg, Sjögren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Environmental factors (eg, low humidity and high winds)
  • Lifestyle factors (eg, wearing contact lenses or prolonged device time)
  • Aging (eg, individuals over 50 are at greater risk)
  • Medications (eg, antihistamines, hormone replacements)
  • Ophthalmic surgery (eg, laser vision correction and cataract procedures)

Symptoms and risk factors of dry eye disease are not limited to those listed above.

Identifying Inflammation

The following scenarios include 3 hypothetical patients living with dry eye inflammation.
See how they may compare to patients in your practice

Suzy at work, standing over her desk.

MEET SUZY

Age 58

CURRENT SYMPTOMS

  • Burning and itchy eyes
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Ocular pain
arrow
MEET SUZY • Age 58

Avid artist and piano player

  • Diagnosis: Previously diagnosed with dry eye disease and signs of inflammation
  • Medical History: Hashimoto’s disease, postmenopausal
  • Current/Prior Treatments: Three brands of artificial tears cycled continuously

MEET SUZY • Age 58

Jules outside taking a walk through a park

MEET jules

Age 71

CURRENT SYMPTOMS

  • Eye dryness
  • Diffuse redness
  • Ocular pain
arrow
MEET jules • Age 71

Retired nature lover

  • Diagnosis: Dry eye disease with clinically significant ocular surface inflammation
  • Medical History: Postmenopausal, systemic hypertension, ocular hypertension
  • Current/Prior Treatments: Brimonidine, warm compresses, artificial tears

MEET jules • Age 71

Brian standing with his arms crossed in a warehouse

MEET BRIAN

Age 64

CURRENT SYMPTOMS

  • Conjunctival hyperemia
  • Vision disturbances
  • Burning and itchy eyes
arrow
MEET BRIAN • Age 64

Carpenter and bookworm

  • Diagnosis: Dry eye disease due to Sjögren’s syndrome with a high risk of inflammation
  • Medical History: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Current/Prior Treatments: Topical cyclosporine 0.05% cycled multiple times, artificial tears

MEET BRIAN • Age 64

Not actual patients.

MEET SUZY

Age 58

Avid artist and piano player

CURRENT SYMPTOMS
  • Burning and itchy eyes
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Ocular pain
Diagnosis

Previously diagnosed with dry eye disease and signs of inflammation

Medical History

Hashimoto’s disease, postmenopausal

Current/Prior Treatments

Three brands of artificial tears cycled continuously

Not an actual patient.

 AGE 58

MEET JULES

Age 71

Retired nature lover

CURRENT SYMPTOMS
  • Eye dryness
  • Diffuse redness
  • Ocular pain
Diagnosis

Dry eye disease with clinically significant ocular surface inflammation

Medical History

Postmenopausal, systemic hypertension, ocular hypertension

Current/Prior Treatments

Brimonidine, warm compresses, artificial tears

Not an actual patient.

 AGE 71

MEET Brian

Age 64

Carpenter and bookworm

CURRENT SYMPTOMS
  • Conjunctival hyperemia
  • Vision disturbances
  • Burning and itchy eyes
Diagnosis

Dry eye disease due to Sjögren’s syndrome with a high risk of inflammation

Medical History

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Current/Prior Treatments

Topical cyclosporine 0.05% cycled multiple times, artificial tears

Not an actual patient.

 AGE 64

XIIDRA MAY HELP

See the real-world impact of Xiidra in
specific patient types

How Xiidra Works

Xiidra addresses T cells differently to defend against dry eye inflammation6

ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1; LFA-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9.

The exact mechanism of action of Xiidra in dry eye disease is not known.

Indication and important safety information

Indication

Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

Important Safety Information

  • Xiidra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lifitegrast or to any of the other ingredients.
  • In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions reported in 5-25% of patients were instillation site irritation, dysgeusia and reduced visual acuity. Other adverse reactions reported in 1% to 5% of the patients were blurred vision, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, headache, increased lacrimation, eye discharge, eye discomfort, eye pruritus and sinusitis.
  • To avoid the potential for eye injury or contamination of the solution, patients should not touch the tip of the single-use container to their eye or to any surface.
  • Contact lenses should be removed prior to the administration of Xiidra and may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration.
  • Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 17 years have not been established.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information for Xiidra.

References

  • Craig JP, Nichols KK, Akpek EK, et al. TFOS DEWS II definition and classification report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.008
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dry Eye Syndrome Preferred Practice Pattern®. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.aaojournal.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0161-6420(18)32650-2
  • Data on file. Bausch & Lomb Inc.
  • Bron AJ, de Paiva CS, Chauhan SK, et al. TFOS DEWS II pathophysiology report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):438-510. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.011
  • Pflugfelder SC, Stern M, Zhang S, Shojaei A. LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction as a therapeutic target in dry eye disease. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2017;33(1):5-12. doi:10.1089/jop.2016.0105
  • Donnenfeld ED, Perry HD, Nattis AS, Rosenberg ED. Lifitegrast for the treatment of dry eye disease in adults. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2017;18(14):1517-1524. doi:10.1080/14656566.2017.1372748
  • Sambursky R. Presence or absence of ocular surface inflammation directs clinical and therapeutic management of dry eye. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:2337-2343. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S121256
  • Sullivan DA, Rocha EM, Aragona P, et al. TFOS DEWS II sex, gender, and hormones report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):284-333. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.04.001
  • Market Scope. 2023 Dry Eye Products Market Report: Global Analysis for 2022 to 2028. Market Scope®, LLC; 2023. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.market-scope.com/pages/reports/411/2023-dry-eye-products-market-report-global-analysis-for-2022-to-2028-november-2023

Indication and important safety information

Indication

Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

Important Safety Information

  • Xiidra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lifitegrast or to any of the other ingredients.
  • In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions reported in 5-25% of patients were instillation site irritation, dysgeusia and reduced visual acuity. Other adverse reactions reported in 1% to 5% of the patients were blurred vision, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, headache, increased lacrimation, eye discharge, eye discomfort, eye pruritus and sinusitis.