DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Marisa
Tomei today 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.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150612/222796LOGO
"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*. Allergan has 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.
Learn more about Marisa's story and take the Dry Eye Quiz at
www.restasis.com/Guide-Dogs-for-the-Blind.
* For every Dry Eye quiz taken on RESTASIS.com from
July 25, 2016 through December 31, 2016, Allergan will donate
$1 to Guide Dogs for the Blind, with
a minimum donation of $50,000 and a
maximum donation of $100,000.
RESTASIS® Important Information
Approved Use
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion helps increase your
eyes' natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by
inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye. RESTASIS® did not
increase tear production in patients using anti-inflammatory eye
drops or tear duct plugs.
Important Safety Information
Do not use RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion if you are
allergic to any of the ingredients. To help avoid eye injury and
contamination, do not touch the vial tip to your eye or other
surfaces. RESTASIS® should not be used while wearing contact
lenses. If contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to
use of RESTASIS® and may be reinserted after 15
minutes.
The most common side effect is a temporary burning sensation.
Other side effects include eye redness, discharge, watery eyes, eye
pain, foreign body sensation, itching, stinging, and blurred
vision.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Restasis
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide
dog school; we are a passionate community that serves the visually
impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of
trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly
qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind
or have low vision. All of our services are provided free of
charge; we receive no government funding. GDB is headquartered in
San Rafael, California, with a
second campus in Boring, Oregon.
More than 14,000 teams have graduated since our founding in 1942,
and there are approximately 2,200 active teams in the field. For
more information, please visit www.guidedogs.com.
About Allergan
Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global
pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model –
Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing,
manufacturing and commercializing innovative branded
pharmaceuticals, high-quality generic and over-the-counter
medicines and biologic products for patients around the world.
Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that
provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye
care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women's health,
urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories,
and operates the world's third-largest global generics business,
providing patients around the globe with increased access to
affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader
in research and development, with one of the broadest development
pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in
the submission of generic product applications globally.
With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries,
Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare
providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful
treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier
lives.
For more information, visit Allergan's website at
www.allergan.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements contained in this press release that refer to future
events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements
that reflect Allergan's current perspective of existing trends and
information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly
required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a
number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors
include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or
outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of
competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and
continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in
manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in
Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2016 (such periodic public
filings having been filed under the "Actavis plc" name). Except as
expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Lisa
DeFrancesco
(862) 261-7152
Media:
Mark Marmur
(973) 906-1526
Frances DeSena
(201) 427-8762
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/actress-marisa-tomei-partners-with-allergan-to-raise-awareness-of-chronic-dry-eye-300301221.html
SOURCE Allergan plc