Bausch + Lomb Launches Dry Eye Education Campaign
Bausch + Lomb announced the launch of “Eyes Tell the Story: The Impact of Dry Eye,” a new awareness campaign designed to spotlight the burden of dry eye symptoms through storytelling, photography, and insights from the company’s latest nationwide survey.
Building on the 2024 "Know Your Dry Eye" initiative, which unveiled widespread misunderstandings surrounding dry eye symptoms, this year’s campaign aims to take a deeper, more personal approach. “Eyes Tell the Story” features portraits by artist and dry eye sufferer Kayte Demont, capturing the daily realities of living with dry eye through the lens of real people—including interior designer Alvin Wayne and lifestyle blogger Brianne Manz—who share how chronic eye discomfort impacts their lives and work.
“Approximately 150 million U.S. adults experience symptoms of dry eye, and nearly 38 million live with chronic dry eye disease,” Dr. Yehia Hashad, Executive Vice President, R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Bausch + Lomb, said in a company news release. “Through this campaign, we want to humanize those statistics and empower people to recognize symptoms early and explore the full range of available treatment options.”
The new survey, conducted among people currently using over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription treatments for dry eye, revealed critical gaps in patient understanding and care:
78% wish they had more education and resources on dry eye
62% incorrectly believe—or are unsure—that dry eye resolves after limited treatment
43% think or are unsure that dry eye is a temporary condition, while 42% don’t realize it often requires long-term management
40% of sufferers delayed visiting an eye doctor for at least six months after noticing symptoms
Among prescription users, 88% said they wish they had started their medication sooner
These findings underscore the importance of proactive management and the need for tailored treatments. According to the survey, 71% of dry eye sufferers prioritize consistent relief, and 50% seek treatments specifically targeting eye dryness.
At the heart of “Eyes Tell the Story” is a collaboration with Kayte Demont, who has translated her own journey with dry eye into visual advocacy. Her portraits bring to life the hidden struggles of others like Alvin Wayne, whose long days in front of screens and bright lighting intensify his symptoms, and Brianne Manz, whose parenting and digital career have similarly magnified her eye discomfort.
“By featuring real people living with dry eye, we hope to close the awareness gap and destigmatize the condition,” said Dr. Hashad. “Relief can come in many forms—from OTC drops to prescription therapies—but the first step is recognizing the signs and speaking with an eye care professional.”
Bausch + Lomb encourages anyone who may be experiencing symptoms such as burning, stinging, blurred vision, or excessive tearing to visit KnowYourDryEye.com. There, users can explore dry eye resources, learn more about available treatments, and even share their own stories for a chance to be featured in next year’s Dry Eye Awareness Month campaign in July.