Abstract
Introduction
Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% is indicated to treat signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). This study assessed eyecare professionals’ (ECPs) real-world experiences with lifitegrast in DED.
Methods
A total of 12 ECPs (6 ophthalmologists and 6 optometrists) with experience prescribing lifitegrast completed a cross-sectional survey on practice characteristics, lifitegrast utilization, satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs). ECPs rated satisfaction with lifitegrast overall and for specific clinical outcomes versus other prescription eye drops on a 1 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied) Likert scale.
Results
ECPs reported a mean of 1288 (range, 35–6000) patients with DED treated annually, with 20.9% receiving lifitegrast. Overall, 66.7% of ECPs reported near/complete symptom resolution in patients after 1–3 months of lifitegrast treatment. Mean (range) satisfaction ratings for onset/effectiveness were 6.8 (3–9)/6.6 (3–9). Satisfaction with reduction of DED signs was generally high: increased tear film breakup time, 5.8 (3–9); reduced conjunctival/corneal staining, 6.9 (3–9); increased Schirmer test score, 6.0 (3–9); increased tear meniscus height, 6.0 (3–9); and reduced Ocular Surface Disease Index severity, 7.0 (3–10). Symptom reduction satisfaction ratings were: itching, 5.3 (1–9); dryness, 6.9 (3–9); burning/stinging, 6.3 (1–9); redness, 6.2 (4–9); pain, 6.3 (3–9); light sensitivity, 6.5 (3–9); and blurred/poor vision, 6.8 (4–9). Overall satisfaction (ECPs/patients) was rated 7.1 (3–10)/6.8 (2–9). Predominant uses of lifitegrast included contact lens-induced DED (91.7%) and DED before/after refractive or cataract surgery (83.3% each). AEs reported were consistent with the known AE profile of lifitegrast and included burning/stinging, blurred vision, and dysgeusia.
Conclusions
This real-world survey showed that ECPs use lifitegrast to treat one fifth of their patients with DED and reported moderate-to-high personal and patient satisfaction with lifitegrast treatment.