Innovative FDA-Approved Treatments for Dry Eye Disease: A New Era in Patient Care

A recently reported Alcon dry eye candidate has been described as aiming to enhance tear production, but details on the exact product name, regulatory status, and mechanism remain to be fully confirmed; accordingly, we refer to it here as an investigational approach rather than a definitively FDA‑approved therapy, as reflected in the Reuters coverage of Alcon’s dry eye update.

Many clinicians describe a gradual shift toward patient‑centered, mechanism‑informed care in dry eye disease; in this perspective, emerging therapies complement established stepwise strategies rather than replace them.

Rather than loosely invoking “nerve targeting,” reports around neuromodulatory approaches describe activating the trigeminal–parasympathetic reflex to the lacrimal functional unit, with the intent of improving reduced basal aqueous tear production—most relevant to aqueous‑deficient presentations of dry eye.

If approved in the future, such a therapy would be among the options that act by stimulating endogenous tear production, rather than relying solely on anti‑inflammatory pathways.

For clinicians, any future use of neuromodulatory tear‑stimulation therapies would depend on individual patient profiles—particularly those with signs of aqueous deficiency—and should be considered alongside established measures and clinician judgment regarding benefits, risks, and alternatives.

Against this backdrop, it is helpful to view dry eye care as staged: environmental measures and lubricants typically form the foundation, with prescription therapies considered when signs and symptoms persist—an arc into which tear‑stimulation strategies would logically fit if they advance.

In parallel with prescription‑only innovations, preservative‑free artificial tears such as SYSTANE PRO are commonly used for symptom relief, aligning with guideline‑supported early steps that prioritize lubricants and ocular surface protection.

Because it is preservative‑free, SYSTANE PRO may be better tolerated by people who are sensitive to preservatives in eye drops.

There is emerging evidence from clinical studies that preservative‑free lubricants can improve symptom scores and tear‑film stability measures, but results vary by formulation; thus, these products are best positioned as part of individualized over‑the‑counter symptomatic management.

Taken together, investigational neuromodulatory approaches that aim to stimulate natural tearing and widely used preservative‑free lubricants may help shape a more nuanced, mechanism‑aware, and stepwise approach to dry eye care, with selection tailored to patient needs and clinician guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Investigational tear‑stimulation strategies are being explored as potential additions to mechanism‑informed DED care.
• Preservative‑free lubricants, such as SYSTANE PRO, align with early guideline‑supported steps for symptomatic relief.
• Innovations highlight a trend toward personalized, patient‑focused eye care within staged management.
• Newer options may help address both acute symptom flares and longer‑term management when used within a staged care framework guided by clinician assessment.