Ophthalmology and Therapy Publishes Findings on Lifestyle-Driven Rise in Ocular Redness

Review highlights growing prevalence of noninfectious eye redness and differentiated role of LUMIFY® redness reliever eye drops

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Bausch + Lomb announced that Ophthalmology and Therapy published a new global review examining the causes, burden and management of noninfectious conjunctival hyperemia (ocular redness). The review highlights the rising prevalence of ocular redness driven by digital lifestyles, dry eye, contact lens wear, allergies and environmental factors, and the aesthetic and psychosocial impact of red eyes. It also notes the limitations of traditional decongestants and the evidence supporting the selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist mechanism of LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops.

Why it matters

Ocular redness is no longer just a clinical concern, but a global lifestyle and quality-of-life issue, as individuals with red eyes may be perceived as less healthy or more fatigued, a concern amplified by video conferencing and social media. Patients are increasingly seeking effective, safe and aesthetically-minded products to address this issue.

The details

The global review, developed by clinical experts from nine countries, underscores the aesthetic and psychosocial impact of ocular redness, noting that it frequently presents symptoms such as irritation, dryness, itching or foreign-body sensation, contributing to patient discomfort and reduced quality of life. The review also highlights the limitations of traditional α1 and mixed α1/α2 decongestants, which may provide short-term symptom relief but are prone to tachyphylaxis, rebound redness and shorter duration of effect. In contrast, the review cites evidence that brimonidine tartrate 0.025% (LUMIFY Redness Reliever eye drops), a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, demonstrated effective redness reduction with no tachyphylaxis over 29 days and virtually no rebound redness after discontinuation.

  • In 2025, Bausch + Lomb introduced LUMIFY Preservative Free Eye Drops in convenient single-use vials.

The players

Bausch + Lomb Corporation

A leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better.

Melissa Toyos, MD

Lead author of the review and partner at Toyos Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mayssa Attar

Senior vice president, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer R&D at Bausch + Lomb.

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What they’re saying

“Ocular redness is no longer just a clinical concern, it's a global lifestyle and quality-of-life issue.”

— Melissa Toyos, MD, Lead author of the review and partner, Toyos Clinic, Nashville, Tenn. (Ophthalmology and Therapy)

“This publication reinforces the unique, mechanism-based advantages of LUMIFY.”

— Mayssa Attar, Senior vice president, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer R&D, Bausch + Lomb (Ophthalmology and Therapy)

The takeaway

This review highlights the growing global prevalence of ocular redness driven by modern lifestyles and the importance of selective, safe, and aesthetically-minded products like LUMIFY to address this issue and improve patient comfort and confidence.