What is Chronic Dry Eye and how can RESTASIS® help?

When your eyes are healthy, they make enough tears. This creates a healthy tear film that protects and nourishes the eye. When your eyes do not make enough tears, this can upset the balance of the tear film, allowing it to break down rapidly and create dry spots on the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. You may develop a certain type of Chronic Dry Eye.

Chronic Dry Eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a medical condition that can result from the eyes’ reduced ability to produce tears and protect your eyes. Chronic Dry Eye is a chronic condition and needs therapy on an ongoing basis. If left untreated, Chronic Dry Eye may damage the eye surface, may weaken your vision, and may increase the risk of eye infections.

Constantly using over-the-counter eye drops may be a sign of Chronic Dry Eye.Some people who suffer from Chronic Dry Eye use over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops or artificial tears. Over time, some people need them more and more often. They may also find that using different kinds or brands of eye drops aren’t enough. Using OTC eye drops can help moisten the eyes and may provide short-term relief, but they cannot help increase tear production.

RESTASIS®: A prescription eye drop. RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion is the only prescription eye drop to help increase your eyes’ natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye. RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion did not increase tear production in patients using topical steroid drops or tear duct plugs. RESTASIS® can help you make more of your own tears.

Talk to your eye doctor today.If you have used many types of OTC eye drops several times a day, talk to your eye doctor. Don’t wait until your next annual eye appointment. An eye doctor can examine your eyes and determine whether you suffer from Chronic Dry Eye. Then, ask your eye doctor if a prescription for RESTASIS® is right for you.