Combined Dry Eye Therapies Reduced Symptom Scores
A retrospective study indicates that pairing Xiidra and Miebo may provide relief for patients with complex dry eye disease.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Biotech
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A retrospective analysis of 68 patients demonstrated that combination therapy with Xiidra and Miebo reduced average eye dryness scores from 2.1 to 0.5. The study, presented at the Academy 2026 conference, evaluated real-world outcomes for individuals who had previously attempted an average of four other treatments.
Why it matters
This research provides clinical data for a dual-action approach to dry eye disease, which affects patients with mixed-mechanism conditions that are often resistant to single-agent therapies. By targeting both inflammation and tear film evaporation, the combination strategy addresses the limitations clinicians currently face with individual treatments.
The study tracked 68 adults with an average of four prior failed treatments, finding a significant reduction in dryness scores from 2.1 to 0.5. While 84% of participants remained on the therapy, 19 adverse events were reported across the cohort during the 194.4-day average follow-up period.
The players
Bausch + Lomb
An eye health company specializing in contact lenses, pharmaceutical eye drops, and surgical devices for ocular conditions.
The details
The treatment combines Xiidra, a lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 antagonist used to reduce ocular inflammation, and Miebo, a perfluorohexyloctane eye drop designed to prevent tear evaporation. Clinicians treated patients by administering both agents simultaneously to address the dual nature of mixed-mechanism dry eye disease, which was present in 71% of the cohort. The researchers aggregated data from 23 clinical practices to analyze the real-world performance of this regimen.
Timeline
October 2026: Findings were presented at the Academy 2026 conference.
194.4 days post-baseline: This served as the average duration until the final follow-up visit.
The Tech Race
This retrospective analysis provides the preliminary performance data necessary to validate the efficacy of a dual-agent approach in advance of formal regulatory pathways. These findings serve as the clinical basis for Bausch + Lomb's ongoing phase 3 study of a combined Xiidra and Miebo formulation.
Patients currently struggling with dry eye symptoms may find this combination therapy more effective, though adoption currently depends on clinician discretion for off-label use. Real-world availability is currently limited to the separate use of the two established medications until the phase 3 trials are completed.
The takeaway
Clinicians and patients should monitor the progress of upcoming phase 3 trials to determine if this combination regimen receives formal regulatory approval as a single-drop product. Success in these future trials would likely formalize this dual-therapy approach as a standard of care for complex cases.
What happens next
Bausch + Lomb is currently conducting a phase 3 study to formally evaluate the safety and efficacy of an integrated Xiidra and Miebo combination product.
Further reading
For broader trends in ocular pharmacotherapy, visit Biotech.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
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