Overview

• More than half of adults in the United States and Europe report dry eye symptoms, yet only 17% in the United States and 20% in Europe have a formal diagnosis.
• Delays are common in seeking care, with 60% waiting at least four months, 20% waiting more than a year, and up to one-third experiencing symptoms for over five years before getting help.
• Symptoms disrupt daily life, with 17% stopping night driving, about 15% giving up makeup, 15.2% reducing heating or air conditioning use, and 34% reporting worsening over the past year.
• Lubricating drops are the typical first-line treatment, but only about a quarter of sufferers feel their care is tailored to them, and follow-up practices differ by country.
• Findings come from the NESTS surveys of 2,003 U.S. adults (April 2024) and more than 5,000 participants internationally (June 2025), funded by Bausch + Lomb and presented at ESCRS pending peer review.