Actress Marisa Tomei announced that she is partnering with Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) to raise awareness and educate consumers about Chronic Dry Eye disease (CDE). Tomei was recently diagnosed with a type of CDE and hopes that by sharing her story she can help others learn more about the disease and encourage them to speak with their eye doctors.
“At first I didn’t give my dry eyes much thought, but after a while they began bothering me throughout the day, causing me to take frequent breaks from filming to reapply over the counter eye drops,” said Marisa. “After examining my eyes, my eye doctor told me I have a type of Chronic Dry Eye disease. I was relieved to know there was a reason why my eyes were feeling so dry, and I now use RESTASIS® to help my eyes make more of their own tears.”
RESTASIS®(cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% is the only prescription available to help people whose tear production is suppressed due to ocular inflammation make more of their own real tears. RESTASIS® did not increase tear production in patients using anti-inflammatory eye drops or tear duct plugs.
Approximately 31 million Americans suffer from dry eye. One type of CDE is caused by decrease tear production due to ocular inflammation. Healthy eyes need tears. Without enough tears, the film protecting the eye can break down, creating dry spots on the surface of the eye.
“Like Marisa, many patients struggle for years with their dry eye symptoms before discussing them with their eye doctors,” said Christopher E. Starr, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of Laser Vision Correction Surgery, and Director of the Fellowship Program in Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “Chronic Dry Eye is a progressive disease, and if you find that you’re experiencing dry eyes and you’re using artificial tears more often, it’s important to see your eye doctor to discuss treatment options.”
As part of this partnership, Marisa is thrilled to announce that Allergan will be donating $1 for every Dry Eye Quiz taken on RESTASIS.com to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a charitable organization that empowers the lives of the visually impaired by fostering exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities. Allerganhas a rich heritage in innovative eye treatments and has been an expert in eye care for the past 66 years, and this donation reflects Allergan’s ongoing commitment and dedication supporting eye health.
“Guide Dogs for the Blind is honored to partner with Allergan and we truly appreciate their support for our mission. Guide Dogs for the Blind is an industry-leading guide dog school, all of our services are provided free of charge and we receive no government funding. The support of community partners such as Allergan makes a positive difference and enhances our efforts to serve and empower the blind and visually-impaired,” said Christine Benninger, President and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
