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Shelley Hussey’s Story of Hope
It was the end of 2022, the most hopeful time of the year–the Christmas season. Like most everyone, I anticipated the new year with hope. Hope for happiness, good health…August 30, 2024
Shelley Hussey Joins Not A Dry Eye Foundation Board of Directors
Shelley Hussey joined the Not A Dry Eye Foundation board in August 2024 to bring more awareness to Dry Eye Syndrome. She champions compassionately assisting Dry Eye sufferers and leads the Foundation’s patient advocacy program…August 8, 2024
Steven Maskin, MD via Zoom on Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Issues
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 7PM to 8PM Eastern. Submit your questions and register for this Zoom event…August 13, 2023
Rescuing Agnieszka – Bring Her to the One USA Doctor She Needs
Not A Dry Eye Foundation has created a GoFundMe project to benefit a European medical school graduate named Agnieszka. We need your help to make the project a success. Agnieszka is a 25-year-old who attended a top medical university in Poland with tuition paid for by the Polish government. She graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in May 2023…June 11, 2023
Neuropathic eye pain… is the doctor right?
Do you have neuropathic eye pain? Did your doctor use the words neuropathic eye pain? Never heard the term neuropathic eye pain before? Do the doctors have the right diagnosis and/or the right treatment approach to it? Sort these issues out in this blog post about a new case study just published…June 1, 2023
Meibomian Gland Probing – New Article Published
Titled: “Review of Literature on Intraductal Meibomian Gland Probing with Insights from the Inventor and Developer: Fundamental Concepts and Misconceptions” In this post, find the article abstract with links to the whole article as well as a link to download a PDF of the full article. You will see where the science stands now. Steven Maskin, M.D. gives fresh insights and dispels commonly held misconceptions about Meibomian gland probing in the article…March 10, 2023
Important New Book About Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Your Dry Eye Mystery Solved: Reversing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Restoring Hope. This important new book about Dry Eye and Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a must-read for anyone seeking information about these diseases and commorbidities.
By renowned ophthalmologist Steven L. Maskin, MD. With Not A Dry Eye Foundation’s co-founder and chair, Natalia A. Warren, MBA, MHA. Published by Yale University Press, June 2022. Read more…June 2, 2022
RESTASIS Class Action Lawsuit
Anyone who used Restasis® between May 1, 2015 and July 31, 2021, may be eligible to receive money from a class action lawsuit over the price of the eye drop…May 10, 2022
Lunch and Learn with Steven L. Maskin, MD, April 4, 2022
Meet Dr. Maskin at this live, in-person event! Please call 813-875-0000 to RSVP…April 4, 2022
How to Wear a Face Mask When You Have Dry Eye
For Dry Eye patients wearing a face mask that doesn’t fit properly can be challenging. We found a simple solution…July 23, 2020
Try Tai Chi for Dry Eye
Focusing on the slow movements of this exercise have reduced my Dry Eye induced anxiety and pain levels…May 8, 2020
Orange County California Dry Eye Support Group Announces 2020 Meetings
Due to Coronavirus, the 2020 meetings have been cancelled. Read more…February 27, 2020
John A. McAree, M.D., Joins Not A Dry Eye Foundation
Dr. John A. McAree, a board certified physician of Internal Medicine, first became aware of having eye problems at the age of 18. Read his Story of Hope….January 20, 2020
Sue VandePanne Three Years Later
It’s been nearly three years since I shared my story of hope. I’m writing again today to say to those of you still struggling, don’t give up hope….June 13, 2019
A Stye in My Eye
…A few days after the luncheon I woke up with a small bump smack inside the middle of my left lower eyelid. I tried not to panic. Was it a stye, I wondered?…May 30, 2019
Judi Beatty – Story of Hope
My name is Judi Beatty and I’ve had Dry Eye for nearly 20 years. Last year I finally decided to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to a well known Dry Eye doctor out of state….May 16, 2019
Reading Between the Drops Part 4 – Understanding Dry Eye Research
In Part 4 of Reading Between the Drops we look at the journals that publish research papers. And we discuss studies that look at metadata….July 26, 2018
Reading Between the Drops Part 3 – Understanding Dry Eye Research
In Part 3 of Reading Between the Drops, our series on Understanding Dry Eye Research, we look at the people who conduct studies and publish papers. We’ll ask first, who are the authors? And then, who paid for the study?….June 14, 2018
Reading Between the Drops Part 2 – Understanding Dry Eye Research
Last time we suggested asking two questions when you read a study. Here’s another question you can ask yourself. It might help you become an even better consumer of medical research….May 25, 2018
Reading Between the Drops Part 1- Understanding Dry Eye Research
Finding a cure is something many Dry Eye patients wish for. That’s why whenever a new study promising remarkable results is published it’s hard not to get excited. But all too often the excitement is short-lived…May 7, 2018
Why Treatment is the Last Thing Dry Eye Patients Need
Treatment is the last thing Dry Eye patients need. Yes, the last. And that should come as no surprise. So what’s the first thing Dry Eye patients need? The answer is…April 19, 2018
If You Have Dry Eye, This Post is for You
This post is for anyone suffering with bouts of Dry Eye that just never seem to go away. Yep, there are a lot of us. Way too many in fact…March 22, 2018
There’s Something in My Eye
When I woke up the other morning my first thought was, as it is every morning, “how are my eyes going to feel today?” My second thought was, “there’s something in my eye”…March 8, 2018
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Last year Susie Brockman shared with all of us her remarkable Story of Hope. Today she follows up with what she calls “the most important piece of advice I can give anyone with Dry Eye”…February 22, 2018
Diana Adelman Answers Readers’ Questions
My treatment plan is specific to me and won’t necessarily work for everyone. Even so, learning what I do may help you develop a routine that works for you…February 8, 2018
Diana Adelman’s Story of Hope, Part 2
I shared my Story of Hope back in May 2016, and am happy to report that today my eyes are still comfortable. Since then, I’ve learned to avoid the triggers that make my eyes feel worse. I now know what to do…January 25, 2018
Meibomian Glands: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Remember when you were first diagnosed with blepharitis or MGD and heard about meibomian glands? Who knew secreting oil into your eyes was so important. Who knew the glands that did it could become so sick?…January 11, 2018
As 2017 Comes to a Close
As 2017 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to recall one of its saddest moments, remember some of its highlights, and share what’s already in the works for 2018…Dec 28, 2017
10 Things You’d Never Hear Again if You Had a 125-Foot Orange in Your Mouth
We heard from many of you after the last blog when we compared Dry Eye to having a 125-foot orange in your mouth. We guessed that nobody would tell you a sip of water would help wash it down. That got us thinking…Dec 14, 2017
Are You a Patient Dry Eye Patient?
Are you a patient Dry Eye Patient? In two words, probably not. In fact, you’re probably impatient and frustrated…Dec 4, 2017
4 Reasons Why Treating Dry Eye is Like Baking a Cake
Maybe after a while you felt better. The treatments worked. You could get on with life. But maybe you didn’t feel better. Why? Because treating Dry Eye is a lot like baking a cake. Here are four reasons why…Nov 16, 2017
Restasis Users Watch the Allergan and Imprimis Battle
Imprimis announced on October 19, 2017 that it will fill initial prescriptions of a generic version of Restasis (cyclosporine) for just 99 cents, prompting a patent battle with drugmaker Allergan…Nov 2, 2017
Save the Date DRY EYE RETREAT 2018
We’re back from an extended summer break and excited to announce Dry Eye Retreat 2018 for anyone suffering with Dry Eye, their families, and friends…Oct 19, 2017
Dry Eye Symptoms Aren’t Getting Better? Ask These 3 Questions.
If you’re a patient wondering why your Dry Eye symptoms aren’t getting better, you might ask yourself these three questions…July 13, 2017
Susie Brockman’s 50 Tips for Living with Dry Eye
Living with Dry Eye isn’t easy. Eventually you figure out what you can do to avoid additional pain, but it can take a lot of trial and error…June 22, 2017
Product Updates
If you’re like many Dry Eye patients, you’re always on the lookout for new Dry Eye therapies, information about existing therapies, or wondering what might be on the horizon. Here’s our latest product update…June 8, 2017
Susie Brockman’s Story of Hope
My story of hope begins over 15 years ago when mucus filaments began forming on my corneas. Each time I blinked, the filaments would scratch my corneas, and my eyes would become inflamed. They became sensitive to light, and I started seeing an ophthalmologist up to three times a week…May 25, 2017
Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Blinker? YES!
Eventually I noticed that in photographs I was always the one caught blinking, making me look like I’d had an adult beverage, or two, too many. Who knew there was such a thing as being a bad blinker?…May 11, 2017
Are You Treating Your Dry Eye or Someone Else’s?
What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another person, because all of our Dry Eye conditions are unique and special to each of us, just like our fingerprints…April 27, 2017
Managing Dry Eye Today and Every Day
Whenever I run into someone who tells me they have Dry Eye, one of the first questions I ask is how they manage it. I want to know their diagnosis and the treatments they’ve been prescribed…April 13, 2017
Doctors Comment on Climate Change. Why Should You Care?
Anyone with moderate or severe Dry Eye symptoms knows how much the environment influences how their eyes feel each day…March 30, 2017
The Dry Eye Roller Coaster. Will You Ever Get Off?
You probably remember a time before you had any symptoms. Now it’s like you’re taking an endless ride on the Dry Eye roller coaster…March 16, 2017
11 Tips for a Better Dry Eye Day
In my last blog post I promised to share 11 tips for keeping busy because, if you have Dry Eye symptoms, keeping busy can help distract you from your symptoms and give you some relief. Here they are…March 2, 2017
4 Steps for a Better Life with Dry Eye
What’s a Dry Eye sufferer supposed to do to end the suffering and find relief? These are four steps I took that got me on track to finally feeling better…February 16, 2017
This Should Never Happen, But Sadly Did
This is the true story of a young woman, 31 years old, who lived on the other side of the world while suffering with Dry Eye. We felt it important to share her story with our readers to raise awareness of the struggles and tragedy that can result from this condition…February 2, 2017
One Radical Way to Help Dry Eye Patients
Dry Eye is an imprecise term for a host of conditions that can co-exist but that just doesn’t sound that bad. It’s not as serious as cancer. And it’s not an emergency like a heart attack. So what it is it? Just a little dryness in the eyes. Right?…January 19, 2017
#1 New Year’s Resolution for Dry Eye Patients
Still looking for a New Year’s resolution? Here are 10 different ones to pick from, including our #1 New Year’s Resolution for Dry Eye patients…January 5, 2017
Warning – Dry Eye is the Worst Houseguest Ever
Dry Eye is the worst house guest ever for one very simple reason. It never comes by itself. It’s always dragging around countless other family members who want to stay for a long, long time. Think you’re only hosting aqueous deficiency? Think again…December 22, 2016
12 Reasons why Painful Dry Eye Symptoms Don’t Stop
Patients often complain that even after they’ve started treatment, their painful Dry Eye symptoms don’t stop. Here are 12 reasons why Dry Eye symptoms don’t stop and sometimes just keep coming back…December 8, 2016
Supporting Dry Eye Patients on Their Journey to Healing?
For many Dry Eye patients managing the disease is the journey of a lifetime. Those of us who embarked on the journey to healing, know that lots of people helped us reach our destination. Family members, friends, neighbors…November 24, 2016
Finding it Hard to Trust Your Doctor?
There’s a scene in the 2016 movie Miracles from Heaven that’s probably all too familiar for some Dry Eye patients. When 5-year-old Anna Beam goes to the ER for the umpteenth time with stomach pains…November 10, 2016
Giving Patients a Voice: Letter to TFOS DEWS II
Should patients have a voice? A letter offering the Dry Eye patient perspective to the TFOS DEWS II committee members…October 27, 2016
Research Roundup – Lacrimal Glands, Quality of Life, Contact Lenses, and Demodex Mites
In our first Research Roundup we present five studies. The first four, published this year, may give some Dry Eye patients hope. The fifth, from last year, reveals new insights about demodex mites. The topics of these studies themselves show how complex Dry Eye really is…October 13, 2016
Revolutionary New Miracle Drug for Dry Eye?
Have you seen the TV ads with Jennifer Aniston describing her dry, itchy eyes and telling you to see an eye doctor about your Dry Eye symptoms?…September 29, 2016
Susan Howell’s Story of Hope
Hope — such a tiny word that carries so much weight, especially for those of us who suffer from chronic Dry Eye…September 15, 2016
Summer break from blogging
We are on a summer break from blogging and will resume in the fall. Have a good summer!…July 21, 2016
Sue VandePanne Answers Readers’ Questions
Sue Vandepanne answers readers’ questions about why she wears contact lenses daily and why it’s important to find a good doctor…July 7, 2016
Sue VandePanne’s Story of Hope
It’s been twenty one months since I developed this horrible Dry Eye disease. Back then my symptoms were unbearable. My eyes were scratchy and gritty. I could hardly keep them open they hurt so much. It felt like I had foreign objects in my eyes. There were days I didn’t want to get up in the morning and I couldn’t wait to go to bed at night. Actually that was true on most days!…June 23, 2016
4 Great Resources to Help You Get to Your Doctor
Travel and transportation issues are faced by many Dry Eye sufferers. Here are a few resources for patients in the U.S., where there are both government programs and volunteer organizations, that can help with travel and transportation…June 9, 2016
4 Distractions to Help You Get Through the Day
Temporary relief can sometimes be achieved with distractions that direct the mind toward something other than the symptom. This works because the mind is able to…May 26, 2016
Diana’s Story of Hope
Three years ago I suffered with symptoms of severe Dry Eye. My eyes constantly felt dry, irritated, and gritty, and were sensitive to light. My eyes were so uncomfortable that they interfered with my work and social life. Making matters even worse, no doctor I saw was to be able to diagnose my conditions or relieve my symptoms. Now I know it’s possible to get Dry Eye symptoms under control…May 12, 2016
Asking for Help Doesn’t Need to be Hard. 11 Practical Tips.
Somewhere along the way, we’ll all need someone else’s help. And asking for help is a skill that can be learned. Here a few practical tips that can help you when you need to ask for help…April 28, 2016
Contact Lenses and Dry Eye
Research on contact lenses and Dry Eye Syndrome has recently been in the news. One study examined the role of the lipid layer in tear film and how that might impact contact lens design. The other looked at the microbiome in the eyes of contact lens wearers…April 14, 2016
Stories of Hope – William’s Wife
This true story is the first in our series Stories of Hope. These stories, about people who have triumphed over their Dry Eye symptoms, will inspire you and give you hope. In this story, William Cravey tells us about his wife who had suffered with Dry Eye since before 1997 and how she finally was able find relief…March 31, 2016
8 Tips for Managing Dry Eye and MGD Symptoms
Even if you have an excellent doctor treating you for Dry Eye or meibomian gland dysfunction, there are lifestyle changes you can make to help improve your symptoms…March 17, 2016
Pop, Gritty, and Probe
If you have had your meibomian glands probed, you probably remember hearing loud “pops” as the probe pierced through a band of fibrotic tissue (periductal fibrosis) somewhere along the length of the gland…March 3, 2016
Common Sense, Intuition, and MGD
Dr. Robert Wachter gets our vote. At TEDMED 2015 he told the audience that professional intuition is under assault. That’s how we feel when some doctors disparage meibomian gland probing…February 18, 2016
Is It Getting Worse?
An article we found late last year on Medscape puzzled us. In it the reporter, Diana Swift, concluded that “despite the general perception, dry eye disease does not necessarily worsen over time.”…February 4, 2016
Blog Break
If you’re wondering why we haven’t had any new blog posts lately, it’s because we’re modifying its landing page so it will be easier to find topics you might be interested in…January 24, 2016
Scleral Lenses – 5 Years Later
We’re pleased to learn that after 5 years, PROSE lenses, a type of scleral lens fitted at Boston Foundation for Sight, are still helping about ¾ of the people who have them and who suffer with Dry Eye…January 25, 2016
More Training for UK Doctors
We came across this story today: “New research reveals an alarming, self-acknowledged gap in family doctors’ skills when it comes to diagnosing and treating patient’s eye conditions.”…January 6, 2016
New Year’s Resolution: Right Diagnosis
Value-based care, a new buzzword describing mechanisms to reduce the costs of healthcare, is something many of us are already all too familiar with…December 23, 2015
Causes of Dry Eye Pain
One of the reasons we started the Not A Dry Eye Foundation was the frustration we felt when confronted by physicians who dismissed our symptoms as being “something we would learn to live with” or “all in our heads.”… December 23, 2015
The Most Commonly Prescribed Treatments – Part 2
Other results of the Expert Opinion study were also indicative of the insufficient Dry Eye treatment so many have received…December 19, 2015
The Most Commonly Prescribed Treatments – Part 1
A recent study published on BioMed Central may explain why Dry Eye sufferers often receive treatments that are ineffective or inadequate…December 13, 2015
Tax-deductible Donations
If you’re thinking about making a tax-deductible donation to a charity this holiday season, please consider donating to Not A Dry Eye Foundation…December 7, 2015
Patient Forums
Many of you have expressed interest in participating in our on-line, audio Patient Forums. We want to assure you that these will be launched soon…December 2, 2015
Knowledge, Support, Hope
After months of preparation, the Not A Dry Eye Foundation is proudly launching its website and proceeding with its mission — promoting awareness of Dry Eye Syndrome…November 15, 2015