Xiidra has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
Part of a new class of drugs called Iymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1) antagonist, Xiidra is the first medicine approved for dry eye disease by the FDA.
“Normal tear production is needed for clear vision and eye health,” Director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Dr. Edward Cox said. “This approval will provide a new treatment option for patients with dry eye disease.”
Dry eye disease is diagnosed when the patient’s eye does not produce a sufficient amount of tears or there is an inconsistency in the production of tears. The chances of having dry eye increases with age. It has affected 5 percent of people from ages 30-40 and 10 percent to 15 percent of seniors 65 and older. The disease is more common among women.
When the condition is severe and is left untreated, it can lead to pain, ulcers or scars on the cornea. Activities such as using a computer or reading for extended periods of time can be more difficult with dry eye.
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