Bausch + Lomb Announces Statistically Significant Results From a Clinical Study of a Novel Daily Nutritional Supplement for Dry Eyes

Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, today announced Frontiers in Ophthalmology published statistically significant results from a clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of a novel daily nutritional supplement formulated to address the symptoms of dry eyes.¹ Bausch + Lomb expects to launch the supplement, which features a proprietary blend of ingredients including lutein, zeaxanthin isomers, curcumin and vitamin D3, under the brand name Blink NutriTears early in the third quarter of 2024 in the U.S.

The clinical study met both primary endpoints:

• Change from baseline at day 56 (week eight) in tear production (Schirmer’s test).
• Change from baseline at day 56 in ocular symptoms measured by OSDI score.

The study also met secondary endpoints, showing statistically significant improvements in tear-film break-up time (TBUT), osmolarity, ocular surface health and presence of an inflammatory marker.

“More than 150 million people experience dry eyes in the U.S.,” said Yehia Hashad, M.D., executive vice president, Research & Development and chief medical officer, Bausch + Lomb. “We believe Blink NutriTears will offer a novel nutritional option that can provide dry eye symptom relief in as little as two to four weeks.”

Dry eyes are a prevalent ocular surface disorder that affects millions of adults worldwide. Once a condition known to traditionally affect adults over the age of 55, dry eye is impacting a younger demographic of consumers fueled by modern-day factors such as increased digital device use, environmental stressors, anxiety and stress. Nearly 70% of consumers attribute their dry eye symptoms to digital device use.

The prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of NutriTears in 155 adult participants with mild dry eye symptoms (aged 18–65; median age 42). Participants were randomized to receive one NutriTears or placebo capsule (NutriTears, n=77; placebo, n=78) per day for 56 days (eight weeks) and artificial tear use was captured.

Key points from the trial:

Primary endpoints

• The study met both of its primary endpoints: Change in tear production and participant reports of dry eye symptoms.
  • Participants consuming the daily NutriTears had significant improvements in tear production, as measured by change in Schirmer’s test scores from baseline compared to placebo to day 56 (week eight) (p<0.001 for both).
  • By day 14, total OSDI scores, as well as symptoms and vision domains of the OSDI significantly improved from baseline for participants consuming the daily NutriTears versus placebo, (p<0.05 for all) and were maintained to day 56 (p<0.001).

Key secondary endpoints