Bausch + Lomb held a one-day-only Consumer Summit meeting last month, in which 200 clinicians gathered for a deep dive into recent advancements and key clinical experiences covering dry eye disease (DED) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as:
- Treatment paradigms involving over-the-counter (OTC) products for DED
- Benefits of nutritional supplementation for managing ocular conditions (with a focus on AMD)
How exciting! Let’s talk event details.
The meeting marked a first for the company as it focused on consumer health, the importance of preventative eye care, and the challenges facing clinicians in offering better patient education and treatment recommendations.
And to kick things off?
In a welcome address to attendees, B+L President John Ferris emphasized the company’s focus on customer-centricity in the consumer health space—focusing on both patients and physicians—and introduced the six clinicians heading up the event’s program:
- Amanda Legge, OD
- Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO (event chair)
- Jeffry Gerson, OD
- Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO
- Joseph Allen, OD
- Julie Poteet, OD
- Kaleb Abbott, OD
- Shane Kannarr, OD
Quite the list! So what’s first on the recap agenda?
We’re kicking off our two-part event coverage with a look at eye health, the driving forces behind the rise in eye conditions, and the critical role of OTC solutions in managing ocular surface diseases (OSDs)—particularly DED.
Editor’s note: The following rundown is based on presentations and insights from Drs. Koetting, Quint, and Kannar.
Take it from the top: Tell me about eye health.
Most Americans (88%) view eye health as critical to their overall health. In fact, vision loss is considered one of the worst potential conditions to pose a serious risk.
This focus and concern is duly warranted, as the onset of eye conditions—and subsequent demand for eyecare providers (ECPs)—are projected to continue their already upward trajectory over the next few years.
Give me some numbers.
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) reporting, the following is projected:
- A 24% increase in demand for ECPs across the U.S. from 2020-2035
- A 24% and 26% increase in patients with AMD and glaucoma, respectively, across the globe from 2020-2030
And the culprit behind this trend?
More like culprits, as several drivers are to blame for the projected increase:
- Aging global population
- Resulting eye conditions: AMD, DED, diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, cataracts
- Global blindness is projected to reach 61 million by 2050, driven largely by an aging population
- Resulting eye conditions: AMD, DED, diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, cataracts
- Digital device usage
- Resulting eye conditions: asthenopia, DED, myopia, digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome
- See here for more on its growing prevalence among the U.S. workforce
- Resulting eye conditions: asthenopia, DED, myopia, digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome
- Lifestyle choices (smoking, diet, sedentariness, environmental factors)
Is this where we discuss strategies for management and prevention?
Indeed, it is. More specifically: OTC options.
But first, some stats:
- 60 million people (who may otherwise not seek treatment) have reportedly found symptom relief by using OTC medicines.
- A staggering 80% of consumers report using OTC medications in the last year.
WATCH: Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, dives into why OTCs are integral to ocular disease treatment—as well as why recommending products to patients is critical.
But with these positive consumer outlooks also come drawbacks: potential delayed (or missed) diagnoses, improper self-medicating, and drug or drug-and-food interactions.
As such, patient education is the key to compliance.
Noted. So should OTC drugs be considered safe and effective?
Aboutley. In fact, given the high standards and regulatory framework the FDA has in place for OTC drugs—that’s the intent.
The basic requirements: All OTC drugs commercially marketed in the U.S. must adhere to the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Included among these mandates:
- OTC ophthalmic products must be assigned an OTC monograph, which essentially indicates an OTC drug (including its active and inactive ingredients) is generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for its suggested labeling use and, as such, legally marketed.
What’s not required for these drugs: Pre-marketing approval or clinical trial data (as is necessary for prescription-based drugs).
- Editor’s note: See here for instances in which OTC drugs were found in violation of the FD&C Act.
So where does that leave us?
With a look at how OTC care can provide both early symptom relief as well as continuity of care throughout a patient’s ocular disease journey.
- More specifically: For DED patients—including the ≥38 million affected (but undiagnosed), 18 million actually diagnosed, and 1.4 million patients not treated.
As Dr. Quint noted during the Consumer Summit, the majority of DED cases involve an evaporative etiology—with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) the largest contributor (≥86% of cases).
See here for the diagnosis and management ladder, as established by the Tear Film and Ocular Society (TFOS) Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) III report.
- And keep in mind: A (four-part) step-wise approach is advised.
Let’s talk treatment options—specifically OTC products.
While DED treatments include prescription- and device-based options, Dr. Quint name-dropped a few notable OTC products from three categories: artificial tears, nutritional supplements, and eyelid hygiene.
Looking at artificial tears: These are considered a first-line treatment across all DED severities—and are widely used (18 million U.S. households).
- However: Research has found that nearly 90% of DED patients don’t instill drops correctly—and just under 82% reported not being certain of the recommended frequency for instillation.
- As such: An ECP’s guidance in recommending specific products is pivotal to improving patient adherence and easing the chances of them experiencing decision fatigue.
Give me some expert insight.
Speaking of overwhelmed … that feeling isn’t just limited to patients. As Dr. Koetting noted, ECPs can also feel the pressure when it comes to recommending OTC products.
Her advice: “Find two or three (brands) that you trust.”
Careful consideration should also be paid to a product’s clinical data (if applicable) as well as active and inactive ingredients. Plus, product samples can go a long way in familiarizing patients with brand recognition.
- However: “Make sure that you're taking the time to give them the one that you think is the best for them,” she said.
Stick with this topic for a moment.
As Shane Kannarr, OD, noted, ECPs may mistakenly assume the best OTC product is the one already in their sample collection—not necessarily what’s actually best for the patient.
Patients, meanwhile, may assume the cheapest product is the better option.
- “We really have to take time, delve into what is the best product for our patient, and tailor it to that patient's specific needs,” Dr. Kannarr said. “Educate the patient and provide them a reason or a value for whatever recommendation that we have in mind.”
- He added: “That open line of communication needs to be there.”
And where should OTC options fit into a dry eye treatment protocol?
WATCH: Dr. Kannarr shares insights based on his own clinical practice.
Let’s talk OTC products.
Take, for instance, lipid-based eye drops. Potentially a more effective option for treating MGD-associated DED, these currently only make up a small portion of the OTC eye drop market.
- Case in point: Research has found that lipid-based drops account for just 12% of OTC dry eye drop purchases among 86% of MGD patients.
As such: They may not be a known option to patients—so ECP recommendation is critical.
Give me specifics.
Blink Triple Care Preservative-Free (PF) Lubricating Eye Drops is one such recommendation.
- To note: This tear is part of B+L’s Blink brand of OTC eye and contact lens drops
What this is: A triple‑action drop for daytime use that locks in moisture for long‑lasting hydration and moderate‑to‑severe dry‑eye relief.
How it does this: Via its formulation of active and inactive ingredients that include:
- Polyethylene glycol 400 (active), acting as a lubricant
- Sodium hyaluronate (inactive), providing viscosity and hydration
- Castor oil (inactive), for lipid-layer stabilization
- Electrolytes (sodium and potassium, both inactive), which balance osmotic pressure to mimic natural tear chemistry
- Buffers (boric acid and sodium borate, also inactive), for maintaining a stable pH balance to prevent stinging
- Sodium chlorite (inactive), as a preservative breaking down into sodium and chlorine ions as well as oxygen and water on light exposure
That’s quite the formulation … is there any clinical data supporting its effects?
Indeed. In fact, 2024 clinical research based on a randomized clinical trial (RTC; NCT03995355) published in BMC Ophthalmology evaluated the drop among adult patients with self-identified DED.
Based on outcomes evaluating the change in overall comfort score: The lipid-based tear showed a strong safety profile and significantly better symptomatic relief compared to non-lipid drops.
- Greater change in overall ocular comfort scores from baseline to Day 7 and 30
- Greater change in overall vision quality improvements at Day 7 and 30
See here for a more detailed look at the findings.
Plus: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) from a survey-based study among U.S. dry eye patients found 93% experienced sustained, symptomatic relief 10+ hours after drop use.
Any other OTC options?
Also worth noting: B+L’s Blink Boost Lubricating Eye Drops, which launched to the U.S. market in 2025 (see our coverage here).
What it is: A multi‑dose, pH-balanced drop featuring glycerin 0.5% and formulated with:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) and potassium chloride (the components of natural tears)
- Erythriotol (an antioxidant) to protect from potential ocular damage and disease
Its pH‑balanced formula matches healthy tears and is designed to give dry eyes a “boost” of hydration.
What kind of relief does it provide for dry eye patients?
In that same survey-based study involving the Blink Triple Care drops, Blink Boost was also evaluated.
PPO found 89%, 95%, 92%, and 93% of dry eye patients experienced symptom relief immediately, 4, 8, and 10 hours after drop use, respectively.
So what are the takeaways from this?
Dr. Quint emphasized a few notes to keep in mind:
- Lubricating eye drops (and ECP advice) should be considered a first line of dry eye care—and therapy should only be escalated if the signs and symptoms warrant it.
- OTC options can offer expanded access for patients, particularly in supporting ongoing management across the chronic DED journey.
- ECPs should be intentional and tailored when selecting a specific OTC solution for their DED patients—and recommend with clarity and confidence.
That was … extensive. What’s next on the recap agenda?
Keep your eyes peeled for insights from Drs. Gerson, Legge, and more on how nutritional supplementation is redefining eye health management.
Hint: It involves the soon-to-be-launched PreserVision AREDS3 formulation.