July 7, 2016
New York – Not A Dry Eye Foundation aims to ensure that the patient perspective is heard by an international group of Dry Eye experts. In a letter voicing the concerns of thousands of patients worldwide like themselves, the foundation’s board members write:
It has been nearly a decade since the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) published The Report of the International Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS). That impressive body of work introduced Dry Eye as an ‘under-recognized clinical condition whose etiology and management challenge clinicians and researchers alike.’ In 2016, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, Dry Eye continues to be a vexing problem not only for clinicians and researchers, but more importantly for the patients who suffer with Dry Eye, sometimes with symptoms so debilitating that lives are ruined.
The letter was sent to over 100 members of various DEWS II committees as well as representatives of the NIH, National Eye Institute (NEI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and various journals and media outlets, among others.
The letter goes on to say:
The mission of our foundation is raising awareness of Dry Eye syndrome, to improve patient education and advocacy, and to effect positive outcomes. We believe that through combining increased involvement from patients like ourselves with the very important work of DEWS II, advances in Dry Eye disease management, which for us is a primary goal, will be accelerated, more outcomes will be positive, and fewer patients will retreat into oblivion with the quality of their lives destroyed.
The letter comments on various aspects of Dry Eye and expresses patient concerns about inadequate diagnosis and ineffective treatments. For some Dry Eye patients symptoms can be severe, leading to thoughts of suicide and enucleation (removing the eyes).
The letter in its entirety is available on the Not A Dry Eye website at Not A Dry Eye Foundation Letter to DEWS II.
Not A Dry Eye Foundation is a 501c3 tax exempt organization founded by Dry Eye patients committed to promoting awareness of Dry Eye Syndrome.