Results from a recent survey of chronic dry eye patients indicate Thea’s IVIZIA lubricant eye drops not only provide extended symptom relief but also address different variations of this ocular surface disease (OSD).
To note: Dry eye disease (DED) has been referred to as a growing public health condition—and a vicious circle—known to severely impact the overall quality of life for patients.
In light of this, Glance President Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO spoke with Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, director of Optometry at the University of California (UC) Davis, who has firsthand, real-world experience treating her dry eye patients with the iVIZIA drops.
See what Dr. Barnett had to say about what makes this product unique and effective in providing long-lasting dry eye relief for her dry eye patients.
Next up: Read on to learn more about these results—as well as data from two additional studies supporting iVIZIA.
First: Let’s talk about the current dry eye product landscape.
From artificial tears to lubricants and over-the-counter (OTC) to prescription-based eye drops, dry eye patients of all types—chronic, contact lens (CL) wearers, evaporative and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—have a wide arsenal of options to choose from when it comes to finding symptom relief.
Some might even say too many options.
What patients need is a single product that targets all types of dry eye …
Enter in: IVIZIA Lubricant Eye Drops.
Tell me about Théa.iVIZIA.
Established in 2019, Thea Pharma is the U.S. subsidiary of Laboratoires Thea, a global leader that was among the first eyecare companies to introduce preservative-free (PF) products (see here for its story)—the iVIZIA brand of PF products include:
- Dry eye products
- IVIZIA Lubricant Eye Drops (our topic of discussion)
- IVIZIA Dry Eye Gel
- Eyelid hygiene products
Now dive into these eye drops.
iVIZIA Lubricant Eye Drops are available in an over-the-counter (OTC) PF, multi-dose bottle, which is designed to deliver a consistent drop of 30 μL each time, preventing wastage and streaming on the eye/face (we’ll dive more into this aspect later).
The solution is formulated with povidone 0.5% (the active ingredient) as well as the following inactive ingredients:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
- Purified water
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hyaluronate
- Trehalose
- Tromethamine
Talk about the key ingredients making up this unique formula.
Trehalose (inactive): A disaccharide. A naturally occurring bioprotectant that helps plants withstand periods of extreme dryness.1,2
Hyaluronic acid (inactive): Found in the human body, including the cornea, vitreous, and aqueous humor of the eye, it increases viscosity and helps improve residence time.2
Nice! And who can use these?
Chronic dry eye patients—so, really, any type of dry eye. Théa has also noted that the drops can be administered in patients who wear contact lenses (we’ll get to supporting data on that later).
Similarly, Dr. Barnett said she recommends iVIZIA eye drops to a wide range of her dry eye patients—including both CL wearers and those with evaporative dry eye.
Speaking of patients … let’s talk about this study.
This survey-based study of chronic dry eye patients included 203 participants (aged 28-80) from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds across the United States who switched from their dry eye artificial tears to iVIZIA eye drops for 30 days.3
Which previous artificial tear brands were used?
Products used by the participants prior to the start of the study included (but were not limited to): Systane (Alcon); Refresh (Allergan, an AbbVie company); TheraTears (Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc); and Clear Eyes (Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc).
And how were the questions administered?
Participants were sent questions each week to gauge their comfort levels with the eye drops and how they compared to their previous artificial tears.
In total: Eight touch points were included throughout the study, from initial screening and recruitment to weekly questions.
Now the findings.
After administering iVIZIA for 30 days, the following was reported:3
- 86% of respondents indicated more comfortable eyes
- 84% preferred iVIZIA to their previous artificial tears
- 78% noted needing drops 2x day or less
- 75% stated they would purchase iVIZIA in the future
- If the price were comparable to their previous artificial tears
- 46% felt no discomfort at all
- Compared to 2% of respondents at the start of the study
This sounds promising … any other iVIZIA-focused studies to know about?
Yes, actually! A second study focused on contact lens users only, in which a total of 276 contact lens-wearing, chronic dry eye patients (aged 25 to 80) switched from their preferred dry eye artificial tears to iVIZIA eye drops.3
The duration: This survey was conducted for 30 days, during which participants answered open-ended and follow-up questions posted by a trained moderator during multiple check-ins.
What artificial tear brands were used prior to switching?
Brands mirroring that of the initial study (see above).
And the data?
By the end of the 30 days, the following was reported by participants:3
- 93% stated their eyes were more comfortable
- Compared to 36% at baseline
- 92% noted an improvement in daily activities (electronic device usage)
- 90% were “blur-free” with contact lenses
- Note: iVIZIA drops can be administered both with or without lenses in; however, removing lenses can limit blurriness.
- 75% experienced better comfort with iVIZIA versus their previous drops
And what percentage of participants said they would continue iVIZIA use?
Roughly two out of three—just over 68%—said they would switch to iVIZIA following the study’s conclusion, according to Thea.3
Nice! Just curious: Is there any data on usage among evaporative dry eye patients?
Funny you should ask … Thea recently released new findings from a study focusing solely on evaporative dry eye (EDE) / meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) patients.
Those details: Similar to the previous two studies, this was conducted online over a 30-day period.
The participants: 51 patients (aged 28 to 80) diagnosed with EDE/MGD and using lipid-based drops or were recommended by their eye care provider (ECP) to try iVIZIA drops.3
Any differences in the previous brands of drops patients used?
Among the brands included were Systane (Alcon); Refresh (Allergan, an AbbVie company); Blink (Bausch + Lomb); Soothe XP (Bausch + Lomb); TheraTears (Prestige Consumer Healthcare); and Clear Eyes (Prestige Consumer Healthcare).
And those patient-reported findings?
Based on participants’ responses:3
- 72% reported needing iVIZIA drops twice daily (BID) or less to relieve their symptoms
- 78% said they would purchase iVIZIA over their previous brand of lipid-based drops
- 88% said their eyes were comfortable when using iVIZIA drops
- A majority of patients also reported experiencing comfort using their electronic devices
- 92% experienced no-to-minimal blurriness (resolving in less than 30 seconds)
Let’s circle back to Dr. Barnett: How does this data compare to her patients’ experience?
“It’s been really great for my patients and my practice,” she said. “My patients are saying, ‘This is my favorite drop,’ ‘I won’t go to anything else,’ and that it doesn’t burn or sting, and is very comfortable.”
Also of importance to her patients, Dr. Barnett noted, is the iVIZIA packaging—a proprietary, multidose, PF bottle (3.3 fl oz [100 ml]) and formulation.
Go on …
As noted at Eyes On Eyecare’s Eyes On 2025 symposium on the iVIZIA surveys, the eye drop’s “innovative and optimized” bottle design—including its larger size compared to the smaller vials of other eye drop bottles—makes it easier for patients to dispense a drop or two.
- “A lot of these patients are autoimmune patients and have arthritic symptoms,” said Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, during the symposium. “And with that said, smaller bottles sometimes are more difficult to use—so the larger size of this bottle makes it easier for patients to actually squeeze as well.”
Nice! So why should patients consider this a safe choice?
Speaking in light of last year’s plethora of eye drop recalls and contamination issues, Dr. Barnett emphasized the critical need for eyecare providers (ECPs) to select artificial tears that are manufactured in a safe facility in accordance with FDA guidelines.
- “A drop that is preservative-free is always ideal,” she said. “It’s very important to make sure our patients don’t have drops with preservatives that can affect the ocular surface and cause eye dryness.”
Dr. Brujic echoed similar sentiments.
“Patients are becoming more cognizant of which drops to use and not to use because of those recent recalls—and they’re asking, ‘What drops can we use versus not use with my contact lenses?,” he said. “[With iVIZIA], you don’t have to worry.”
Go on …
Also a key factor for patients to consider: iVIZIA’s shelf life.
Dr. Barnett emphasized that patients should replace their iVIZIA bottle “every 3 months” in order to prevent any risks of infection.
Now talk simplicity.
Quite simply (for lack of a better word), a single drop that can target and provide symptom relief for all forms of dry eye is the solution patients need—and ECPs should provide.
- “Using drops [once or] twice a day is doable and really practical for patients,” Dr. Barnett said. “My patients are loving iVIZIA drops; they’re using them long-term and finding a lot of relief.”
And where can I purchase these drops for my practice?
Available in 5 ml and 10 ml-sized bottles, iVIZIA can be purchased via Amazon as well as at the following locations:
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Walmart
- Walgreens
- Kroger
- Target
Find a location near you (and take advantage of this coupon).