Bausch + Lomb Data Links Dry Eye Treatment to Emotional Wellbeing Gains — Bausch + Lomb Corporation

Event summary

Bausch + Lomb's third annual State of Dry Eye survey (May 2026) found dry eye symptoms impact self-confidence (22%), emotional wellbeing (20%), stress/anxiety (33%), productivity (29%), and mood (28%)
Prescription treatment users reported higher improvements in self-confidence (64% vs. 25% OTC), productivity (60% vs. 43% OTC), emotional wellbeing (59% vs. 34% OTC), and mood (52% vs. 38% OTC)
90% of sufferers were unaware dry eye symptoms could be linked to menopause, while 78% didn't know about connections to autoimmune conditions
Survey included 1,000 U.S. adults with dry eye disease, conducted online by The Harris Poll

The big picture

Bausch + Lomb's survey results highlight the expanding recognition of dry eye disease as a condition with both physical and emotional dimensions. This aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing holistic healthcare approaches and patient-reported outcomes as key differentiators in chronic condition management. The findings could support Bausch + Lomb's strategic positioning in the competitive eye health market, particularly if they can translate these insights into targeted treatment innovations or marketing campaigns.

What we're watching

Treatment Differentiation: Whether Bausch + Lomb can leverage these findings to position prescription treatments as superior to OTC options in emotional wellbeing outcomes.
Awareness Campaigns: The effectiveness of Bausch + Lomb's educational initiatives (e.g., KnowYourDryEye.com) in addressing the identified knowledge gaps about dry eye's systemic connections.
Market Expansion: How these insights might influence Bausch + Lomb's product development or marketing strategies for underserved patient segments, particularly those with autoimmune conditions.