Study Finds XIIDRA May Improve Comfort for Symptomatic Contact Lens Wearers

Thursday, September 11 2025 | 10 h 53 min | News

Results from a new investigator-initiated study suggest that XIIDRA® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%), a prescription drop approved for dry eye disease, may help reduce end-of-day eye dryness and discomfort among symptomatic contact lens wearers.

The study, conducted at the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo and published in Clinical Ophthalmology, followed 40 participants over 12 weeks. Participants continued wearing their usual contact lenses while using XIIDRA twice daily.

Key Findings

Significant improvement in symptoms: After 12 weeks, median scores for end-of-daydryness and discomfort improved by 61 and 59 points, respectively, on a 100-point scale.
Early response: Nearly half of participants reported reduced symptoms after just two weeks of treatment, to the extent they would no longer have met study eligibility.
Longer wear time: Comfortable lens wear increased by an average of 2.6 hours (from 6.5 to 9.1 hours), though total wear time did not change.
Broad symptom relief: Improvements were noted in burning/stinging, itching, foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, and pain.
Safety profile: XIIDRA was generally well tolerated, with only two reports of treatment-related adverse events.

Dr. Marc-Matthias Schulze, principal investigator and senior clinical scientist at CORE, noted that improvements were evident as early as two weeks and continued throughout the study. “Results showed that continued use of XIIDRA further improved symptoms, demonstrating that it may allow contact lens wearers to enjoy their lenses throughout the entire day,” he said.

Study Limitations

The study was single-center, open-label, and lacked a control group. Investigators caution that frequent use of prescription drops compared with occasional use of over-the-counter rewetting drops may have contributed to symptom improvements. As such, findings should be interpreted within the limits of the study design, and no formal conclusions can be drawn.

Background

XIIDRA is approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. While over-the-counter rewetting drops often provide only temporary relief for contact lens wearers, this study indicates that XIIDRA may represent an alternative option for those with persistent discomfort.

Source: Bausch + Lomb

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