Suppliers

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Eye Drops & Artificial Tears

A wide range of companies develop and market solutions for dry eyes, ranging from over-the-counter eye drops to advanced medical devices and prescription treatments. Below is a categorised overview of key players in the dry eye treatment market, based on product type:

1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Eye Drops & Artificial Tears

These are typically the first-line treatment for dry eye symptoms.

  • Alcon

    • Products: Systane Ultra, Systane Complete, Systane Hydration

    • Website: alcon.com

  • Bausch + Lomb (Bausch Health Companies)

    • Products: Soothe, Preservision, Retaine MGD (licensed via Ocusoft)

    • Website: bausch.com

  • Johnson & Johnson Vision (part of J&J MedTech)

    • Products: Refresh Tears, Refresh Optive, Refresh Relieva

    • Website: jjvision.com

  • Allergan (a subsidiary of AbbVie)

    • Products: Optive, Refresh Plus

    • Note: Allergan previously owned the Refresh brand before J&J acquired it.

  • Santen Pharmaceutical (Japan)

    • Products: Soft Santear, Santen Tears, prescription options in Japan and Asia

    • Website: santen.com

2. Prescription Drugs for Chronic Dry Eye

These treatments are for moderate to severe dry eye disease, including inflammatory types.

  • AbbVie (formerly Allergan)

    • Product: Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion)

    • Website: abbvie.com

  • Sun Pharma

    • Product: Cequa (cyclosporine 0.09%)

    • Uses nanomicellar technology for better corneal penetration

    • Website: sunpharma.com

  • Novartis

    • Product: Xiidra (lifitegrast 5%) — acquired from Takeda

    • Targets inflammation associated with dry eye disease

    • Website: novartis.com

3. Medical Devices and In-Office Procedures

Used for more advanced treatment when drops or drugs are insufficient.

  • Sight Sciences

    • Product: TearCare® — a device-based therapy for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

    • Website: sightsciences.com

  • Alcon

    • Product: iLux® MGD Thermal Pulsation System — targets gland blockages in the eyelids

    • Website: alcon.com

  • Johnson & Johnson Vision

    • Product: LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System

    • One of the leading FDA-approved treatments for MGD

    • Website: jjvision.com

  • Ocusoft

    • Offers eyelid hygiene products like Ocusoft Lid Scrub, Retaine Flax, and Retaine PM

    • Website: ocusoft.com

4. Emerging and Niche Players

  • Kala Pharmaceuticals – Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate 0.25%) is a corticosteroid for short-term dry eye flares.

  • Tarsus Pharmaceuticals – TP-03 for Demodex blepharitis, which can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.

  • RegeneRx – Investigating thymosin beta-4 for ocular surface healing.

  • Oyster Point Pharma (acquired by Viatris) – Tyrvaya (varenicline nasal spray), a novel approach stimulating tear production via nasal pathways.

5. Nutraceuticals and Supplements

  • TheraTears (now part of Akorn) — Omega-3 supplements and dry eye nutrition products.

  • PRN (Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals) — High-quality Omega-3s for MGD and inflammation.

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