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Miebo

perfluorohexyloctane
Used for Dry Eye
Used for Dry Eye

Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) is a prescription eye drop that's used to treat dry eyes in adults. It's a semifluorinated alkane eye drop that forms a layer on the eye(s) to prevent tears from drying out. The most common side effects of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) are blurry vision and eye redness. Currently, it's only available under the brand name Miebo.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 17, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesLatest newsReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)?

What is Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) used for?

How Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) works

Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) is a semifluorinated alkane eye drop. It forms a layer on the top of the eye to prevent your natural tears from evaporating and drying out.

When does Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMiebo
Drug ClassSemifluorinated alkane
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) essentials

Dry eyes: closeup woman putting in eye drops 1403207847

Miebo for Dry Eye: 5 Things to Know About This Restasis Alternative

Written by Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP
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Avg retail price
$960.36(save 18.10%)
GoodRx discount
$786.56
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What are the side effects of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Blurred vision (1-3%)
  • Eye redness (1-3%)

Other Side Effects

When do Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Blurred vision
Eye pain

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye redness
pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)

thumbs-up

Pros

Preservative-free

Not many side effects

Stored at room temperature, which is convenient for traveling

thumbs-down

Cons

Needs to be applied 4 times a day

Not known if safe for use in children

Can cause blurred vision and eye redness

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)

pharmacist

  • It can take some time before you notice improvements to your dry eye symptoms after starting Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). In studies, people noted relief by the second week of treatment; some people continued to experience improvements after a couple of months.

    • Before using Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane), wash your hands and remove the cap of the bottle. Avoid touching the tip of the bottle to any surface or your eyes to prevent contamination and infection in your eyes.

      • Hold the Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) bottle upright and gently squeeze it. Then, turn it upside down and release. Place the bottle above your eye and squeeze it again to release one drop into your eye. Repeat for your other eye if you're using it for both eyes.

        • If you wear contact lenses, make sure to remove them before using Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). You can put them back in after waiting at least 30 minutes after using the drops.

          • Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) can cause blurred vision. Avoid driving until your vision becomes clear again.

            • Store Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) at room temperature and throw the bottle away after the expiration date.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)

              Is Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) available?
              Yes, Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) became available toward the end of 2023. But you need a prescription from your ophthalmologist or eye specialist in order to get this medication at the pharmacy; it's not available over the counter (OTC). There are some OTC options to treat symptoms of dry eyes. Your HCP can help guide you to the best option for your symptoms.
              How many eye drops are in a 5 mL bottle of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)?
              There are about 270 drops in each bottle of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). One bottle should last you about a month if you're using this medication in both eyes 4 times daily. Don't use Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) if the expiration date on the bottle has passed, even if there are still drops left in the bottle.
              Is Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) preservative-free?
              Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) comes in a preservative-free multi-dose bottle. So this medication is a good option for people who want to avoid preservatives, which can worsen dry eyes. But without preservatives, there's a higher risk of the bottle getting contaminated with germs since it's a multi-dose bottle. To avoid getting an eye infection, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before using Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). Also, try not to touch the tip of the bottle with your fingers, eye, or any other surface.
              Can I use Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) with contacts?
              If you wear contact lenses, make sure to remove them before using Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). Wait at least 30 minutes after using the medication before placing your contact lenses back in your eyes.
              How well does Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) work?
              Clinical studies showed that people who used Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) noticed greater improvement in dry eye symptoms, such as eye discomfort and irritation, compared to those who used saline eye drops. After starting Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane), people noted dry eye relief by week 2 of treatment and their condition continued to improve throughout the 2-month studies. Keep in mind that the people who used Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) in clinical studies had dry eyes, as well as signs of meibomian gland dysfunction, a condition where their eyes aren't able to make the protective layer of liquid that typically prevents dry eyes.
              Does Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) help with meibomian gland dysfunction?
              Yes, Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) can be an option for people with meibomian gland dysfunction. This is a condition where your eyes aren't able to make the layer of liquid that typically protects against dry eyes. The people who used Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) in clinical studies had signs of meibomian gland dysfunction and this medication helped improve their symptoms.
              How does Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) compare to cyclosporine (Restasis)?
              Both Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) and cyclosporine (Restasis) are prescription eye drops used to treat dry eye(s). But there are several differences between them. One difference is that Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) works by preventing the tears from evaporating, whereas cyclosporine (Restasis) works by lowering eye inflammation and helping your eyes make more tears. Another difference is that you need to apply Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) 4 times a day, whereas you only need to apply cyclosporine (Restasis) twice a day. Lastly, Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) is a brand name medication, but cyclosporine (Restasis) is available as both brand name and generic medications. There aren't any studies that directly compare Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) to cyclosporine (Restasis), so it's unclear whether one works better than the other. Talk with your eye specialist if you've more questions about either medication.
              Is Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) safe to use during pregnancy?
              There isn't enough information to know whether Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) is safe to use during pregnancy. Even though this medication is applied to your eyes, there's still a potential risk of harm to your unborn baby. Talk with your healthcare team about the safest treatment option for dry eyes during your pregnancy.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)?

              Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Use with contact lenses

              Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) shouldn't be used while wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, make sure to remove them before applying the drops to your eyes. Wait at least 30 minutes after applying the drops before putting your contact lenses in.

              dosage

              Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 dropper of 3ml of 1.338g/ml of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) is $786.56 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 18.1% off the average retail price of $960.36.
              dropper
              Dropper
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              3ml of 1.338g/ml1 dropper$786.56$786.56

              Typical dosing for Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)

              • Adults: Place 1 drop into the affected eye(s) 4 times a day.

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              How much does Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane) cost?

              To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
              Miebo (brand)
              GoodRx lowest price

              $786.56

              (save 18.10%)
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              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)
              Used for:
              $786.56 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Artificial Tears
              Used for:

              • Dry eyes

              • Prevention of eye irritation

              $5.06 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Cyclosporine (Restasis)
              Used for:

              • Dry eye in people 16 years and older

              $88.91 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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              References

              Best studies we found

              Asiedu, K., et al. (2021). Dry eye, its clinical subtypes and associated factors in healthy pregnancy: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One.

              Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. (2024). Miebo- perfluorohexyloctane solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. (2023). MIEBO™ (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) brochure for HCPs.

              View All References (1)

              Tauber, J., et al. (2022). NOV03 for dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction: Results of the randomized phase 3 GOBI study. Ophthalmology.

              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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