Nordic Pharma's LACRIFILL Hits 100k Patients, Reshaping Dry Eye Care

BERWYN, PA – April 09, 2026 – In less than two years, a novel treatment for dry eye symptoms has reached a remarkable milestone, signaling a potential shift in how clinicians approach the pervasive condition. Nordic Pharma, Inc. announced that its LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel has been used to treat over 100,000 patients across the United States since its launch in May 2024. This rapid adoption underscores the growing demand for more proactive and effective solutions in a market projected to reach nearly $9.3 billion by 2030.

Coinciding with this achievement, the company has also responded directly to physician feedback by including cannulas with every shipment of the gel-filled syringes. This enhancement, aimed at improving provider convenience and streamlining the in-office procedure, highlights a strategy focused on both product innovation and practitioner experience. The combination of rapid market penetration and physician-centric adjustments suggests that LACRIFILL is not just another product, but a significant force in the evolution of dry eye therapy.

The Rise of Interventional Management

For years, the standard of care for many of the millions of Americans suffering from dry eye disease—a condition affecting an estimated 6.8% of U.S. adults—has been a cycle of palliative relief, primarily through over-the-counter artificial tears. However, a new philosophy of 'interventional dry eye management' is gaining traction, moving beyond temporary symptom suppression to address the underlying mechanics of the ocular surface. This approach utilizes in-office procedures and advanced devices to restore the eye's natural balance.

LACRIFILL is at the forefront of this movement. Described as a "game-changer" by leading optometrists, it is a proprietary, cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel that provides temporary occlusion of the tear drainage system. Unlike eye drops, which provide fleeting moisture, LACRIFILL works by blocking the canaliculi—the small channels in the corner of the eye that drain tears away. This allows the ocular surface to be bathed in a patient's own natural, complex tears for an extended period.

"Treating ocular surface disease has become an increasingly important part of modern eye care," said Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, of Premier Vision Group. "Using LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel as a tool to improve dry eye disease has been a true game-changer in our practice... It is an important option to consider, as it not only supports strong visual outcomes but also significantly improves patient comfort."

A Different Approach to Occlusion

The concept of blocking tear drainage is not new. For decades, ophthalmologists have used punctal plugs—tiny, solid devices made of silicone or collagen—for the same purpose. However, these traditional plugs come with a well-documented set of challenges, including spontaneous extrusion rates as high as 40%, ocular surface irritation, and the need for removal in about 10% of patients due to discomfort.

LACRIFILL differentiates itself by replacing the solid plug with a soft, conformable gel. Administered via a pre-filled syringe and a thin cannula, the hyaluronic acid-based gel flows into and completely fills the canalicular system. This eliminates the risk of a solid device falling out, dislodging, or rubbing against the sensitive surface of the eye. Because the gel conforms perfectly to the unique anatomy of each patient's tear duct, it also removes the guesswork of sizing required for traditional plugs.

"LACRIFILL is not simply another punctal plug; it is a very different approach to managing the ocular surface," explained Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Board Chair of OCLI Vision and NYU Langone Health. "As physicians, we must take an active role in controlling our patients' ocular surface health, comfort, and visual outcomes, particularly around eye surgery. LACRIFILL® Canalicular Gel has consistently delivered on its purpose, providing meaningful ocular surface control."

Furthermore, the gel is biocompatible and designed to last up to six months before naturally resorbing. If removal is necessary, it can be easily flushed out with simple irrigation, a significant advantage over the procedural removal sometimes required for embedded solid plugs.

Validated by Data and Real-World Success

The rapid adoption of LACRIFILL is supported by a foundation of clinical evidence. The product received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), designating it as safe and effective. A pivotal multicenter, randomized, controlled trial demonstrated that LACRIFILL was non-inferior to a leading commercially available hydrogel plug in improving both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease over six months.

Key findings showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in Schirmer test scores (a measure of tear production) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), a standardized questionnaire for assessing symptoms. Patients treated with LACRIFILL also saw improvements in tear break-up time and tear meniscus height. Notably, while some patients using the comparator plug experienced a worsening of corneal staining over time, those in the LACRIFILL group remained stable or improved. The most common adverse events noted in trials were manageable and included temporary procedural discomfort and a low incidence of increased corneal staining or excessive tearing (epiphora).

This clinical success is mirrored in patient satisfaction. A Nordic Pharma survey from February 2025 found that an overwhelming 98% of patients would return for another treatment, underscoring the positive real-world impact on quality of life.

"We are gratified by the rapid acceptance of LACRIFILL by so many optometrists and ophthalmologists across the country," said Jai Parekh, MD, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer of Eye Care US for Nordic Pharma. "LACRIFILL represents a movement towards interventional dry eye disease management."

To further educate eye care professionals, Nordic Pharma will be hosting live demonstrations at the upcoming American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C., showcasing the ease of use that has contributed to its widespread adoption.