Do your eyes feel gritty, rough or tired, no matter what you do? If so, you're not alone. Millions of Americans experience symptoms of dry eye every day, which can range from occasional discomfort to a chronic, progressive condition known as dry eye disease.

These symptoms might seem like "just part of life," but they don't have to be. Here are five things everyone should know about dry eye disease, and how to take control of it.

1. Dry eye disease is more common than you may realize

Did you know that dry eye disease affects more than 38 million people in the U.S.? You also may not know that dry eye disease is more than just the symptoms that you feel. It is an underlying condition that can have different causes.

2. Too much tear evaporation is a leading cause of dry eye disease

Everyone's tears evaporate, but too much evaporation can lead to problems for your eyes. So how does this work?

The tear film that exists on the outside of the eye is made up of 3 layers: the oily layer on top, and the watery layer of tears which is mixed with the inner mucus layer. In healthy eyes, the oily layer helps to keep the tears from drying out. With evaporative dry eye, the oily layer isn't effective, allowing too many tears to evaporate too quickly, which can leave the eyes feeling dry, rough and gritty.

3. Everyday factors can make dry eye worse

From blasting air conditioning on a hot day, to long hours in front of a screen, or even taking antihistamines during allergy season — these are all factors that can make your dry eye symptoms worse. Additionally, there are the factors that can't be controlled at all, like getting older or living with certain inflammatory conditions, that may make dry eye even more likely.

As symptoms continue and worsen, they may start to take a toll. Many people with dry eye say they're aware of how their eyes feel. People with dry eye report that they often cut back on things they enjoy just to find some relief, whether it's time on their devices, being outdoors or even wearing makeup.*

4. The good news: There's something you can do about it

Everyone's experience with dry eye is unique. You may feel like you've tried everything when it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, but they may not be providing lasting relief. If tear evaporation is driving your symptoms, a prescription treatment option — such as MIEBO^® (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution), used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease — may be right for you. MIEBO is the first and only prescription eye drop that directly targets tear evaporation and it works by forming a protective layer on the surface of the eye, helping you retain more of your own tears. The exact way MIEBO works is unknown. Do not use if you are allergic to MIEBO.

5. The first step is to talk to your eye doctor

Early diagnosis and ongoing care may prevent symptoms from getting worse. To learn more about the role that tear evaporation plays in dry eye disease, visit MIEBO.com. You can also take a quiz here, and print out the results to discuss with your eye doctor.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to live with dry eye symptoms. There are options for relief. Talk to your eye doctor to find out what's best for you.

INDICATION

MIEBO^® (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) is used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• Do not use if you are allergic to MIEBO
• Remove contact lenses before using MIEBO and wait for at least 30 minutes before reinserting
• It is important to use MIEBO exactly as prescribed
• It is not known if MIEBO is safe and effective in children under the age of 18
• In pivotal trials, the most common eye side effect seen in studies was blurred vision (1% to 3% of patients reported blurred vision and eye redness)

Click here for full Prescribing Information for MIEBO.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

*The 2024 State of Dry Eye Harris Poll surveyed 2,003 U.S. adults on their understanding of, and experiences with, dry eye. Of those, 461 disclosed that they often/always experience eye dryness and/or have been diagnosed with dry eye disease (referred to as "sufferers") and 1,542 non-sufferers. "Respondents" or "Americans" refers to all 2,003 survey participants.

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