Xiidra

Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is a prescription eye drop used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when tears don’t work well, leading to burning, stinging, gritty feelings, and blurred vision. Treating dry eye helps protect the eye surface and improves comfort for daily tasks like reading and screen time.1

Xiidra works on a part of the immune system to calm inflammation on the eye’s surface. It is approved to reduce both how the eyes feel (symptoms) and how they look on exam (signs), and is used twice a day in single-use vials discarded after each dose.2

How Xiidra works: Lifitegrast blocks the interaction between LFA-1 (on white blood cells) and ICAM-1 (on the eye’s surface). By interrupting this “handshake,” Xiidra helps reduce inflammation linked to dry eye. The usual dose is one drop in each eye, twice daily (about 12 hours apart) from single-use containers. Remove contact lenses before dosing and wait 15 minutes before reinserting them.2

Where it fits among options: Dry eye care is stepwise. First steps often include:

• Artificial tears
• Eyelid hygiene and warm compresses
• Managing screen time

Doctors may add prescription anti-inflammatory drops (like lifitegrast or cyclosporine), punctal plugs, or in-office treatments for oil gland problems. Your eye doctor will tailor treatment using guideline-based care.3

Good candidates: People diagnosed with DED who have ongoing discomfort, fluctuating vision, or trouble with screens/reading due to dryness. Xiidra is indicated for signs and symptoms of DED and can be considered if basic measures (artificial tears) are insufficient. Contraindicated if allergic to lifitegrast or any ingredient.2

Eye care professionals confirm dry eye with history, exam, and tests such as tear breakup time, corneal staining, and tear production tests.4

How Xiidra is covered: In the U.S., Xiidra is a pharmacy benefit medicine. For Medicare users, it usually falls under Part D plans with formulary tiers, copays, and prior authorization.5

Ways to lower costs:

• Apply for Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) if eligible.6
• Check manufacturer copay-assistance programs for commercial insurance.

Benefits: Randomized trials showed lifitegrast improved dry eye symptoms and some signs. Some patients notice benefits within weeks; others take longer.7 Common side effects include eye irritation, redness, and temporary unusual taste (dysgeusia). Blurred vision may occur right after instillation.2

Limitations: No single treatment fixes every type of dry eye. Many may still need artificial tears, lid care, or other therapies. Response varies by tear film issue and other conditions like allergies.

Using Xiidra: Wash hands, tilt head, and instill one drop in each eye twice a day ~12 hours apart. Discard each single-use vial after dosing. Remove contact lenses first and wait 15 minutes before reinsertion. If using multiple drops, separate by 5–10 minutes.2

Follow-up: Keep a symptom diary and share at visits. Call promptly if severe pain, marked redness, sudden vision changes, or infection signs occur.9

What studies show: Phase 3 analyses found lifitegrast improved symptoms in key patient subgroups; some experienced earlier relief.8 Additional reports explore who benefits fastest and symptom score changes.12

Future directions: Research combines tear-film testing, meibomian gland evaluation, and symptom reports. Xiidra may be paired with targeted lid care or plugs as needed.

Talk with a specialist: If dry eye affects daily life, schedule a visit with a board-certified ophthalmologist. Search by subspecialty in the AAO directory.11

Bring your symptom history, current drops, contact lens schedule, and allergies to tailor your plan.

Seek urgent care: Severe pain, major vision change, or intense light sensitivity are not typical for dry eye and may indicate another problem.1