Lifitegrast: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When you think of dry eyes, you might picture screen glare or windburn—but for millions, it’s a chronic condition driven by lifitegrast, a prescription eye drop approved by the FDA to treat the underlying inflammation in dry eye disease. Also known by its brand name Xiidra, lifitegrast works differently than artificial tears. It doesn’t just lubricate—it interrupts the immune response that causes redness, burning, and grittiness. Unlike older treatments that mask symptoms, lifitegrast targets T-cell activation, a key process in ocular inflammation where immune cells attack the eye’s surface, making it one of the first drugs designed specifically to stop the root cause, not just the feel.

It’s not a quick fix. Most people notice improvement after 2 to 4 weeks of twice-daily use, and full effects can take up to 12 weeks. That’s why it’s often paired with other strategies—like warm compresses, omega-3s, or avoiding dry environments—rather than used alone. It’s also not for everyone. People with active eye infections or severe allergies should check with their doctor first. And while it’s FDA-approved for dry eye disease, a chronic condition affecting up to 30% of adults, especially women over 50, it doesn’t work like a steroid or an antibiotic. It’s an immunomodulator, a drug that adjusts the body’s immune activity without suppressing it entirely, which is why side effects like eye irritation or bad taste are common but rarely dangerous.

You’ll find posts here that dig into how lifitegrast compares to other dry eye treatments, what the real-world data says about its long-term use, and why some patients respond better than others. There’s also coverage on how it fits into broader treatment plans, what to do if it stops working, and how it stacks up against newer options like cyclosporine drops. If you’ve been told your dry eyes aren’t just "dry"—but inflamed—this collection gives you the facts without the fluff.