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July named Dry Eye Awareness Month by women’s health group
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WASHINGTON — The National Women’s Health Resource Center and Allergan have joined together to promote July as Dry Eye Awareness Month.
As part of the campaign to raise awareness of the disease in the general population, the center is urging people to have ophthalmologists examine their eyes for signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. In a press release, the center cited a study that predicts that as many as 3.2 million women in the country may have keratoconjunctivitis sicca and be unaware of the condition.
“Too often patients come into my office complaining of what they consider nuisance symptoms — such as dry, itchy eyes and blurred vision — not realizing their symptoms are linked to an actual treatable medical condition,” said Calvin W. Roberts, MD, a clinical professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University.
“As part of our continued, long-term commitment to urge consumers to take care of their ocular health, we urge anyone who thinks they may have dry eye to visit their eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment,” said Amy Niles, president and chief executive officer of the National Women’s Health Resource Center. “Our organization is dedicated to raising awareness of this prevalent disease.”