New Drug Xiidra Helps People Battling Dry Eyes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A new drug may help people suffering from dry eyes.

CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez reported that dry eyes are the number one reason people go see an eye care professional. Dry eyes can lead to fluctuating vision, affecting everything from driving to reading.

A new prescription dry eye drug called Xiidra is getting a high-profile ad campaign thanks to actress Jennifer Anniston.

Xiidra is the first new drug since Restasis was approved 13 years ago.

"It's an anti-inflammatory, so in that sense it's in the same group, but it has a total different mechanism of action. It prevents the white blood cells from getting to the area of inflammation, which is the white part of the eye," said Dr. Penny Asbell of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai.

Amy Kossoy, who has been suffering from dry eyes for years, is ready to use the new drug after treating her eyes with over-the-counter drops.

"Usually in the morning, and then maybe two to three times a day, and then in the evening," Kossoy said. "I used a lot of eye drops."

There are a number of causes for dry eyes, but it often comes down to not enough oil in a person's tears.

Watery tears evaporate very quickly. To keep the eyes moist, tears mix with an oily substance from glands in the eyelids, which slows evaporation.

"Inflammation is the core to what's creating the abnormality in the oculus surface and in the tear film. So if we can cut down on the inflammation, we can improve the whole dry eye symptom," Asbell said.

That's how both the prescription drops work, by cutting down on inflammation.

Asbell said that people's first stop should be over-the-counter drops and trying different types and brands because one might work better than others.

However, if still having trouble, see an eye doctor to see if the new drops might help. Side effects have been minimal.