Newsclips (July-August)

Dry Eye in the News

7 August: Health tip: If your eyes are dry

Forbes. Three brief paragraphs of common sense. But we like that they mentioned cold and allergy medications as a dry eye culprit!

7 August: Ask DrH... Long use of drops safe for dry eyes?

Philadelphia Inquirer. Patient asks about long-term safety of Restasis. Answer buried in the 6 paragraphs of educational blah blah is that it 'appears safe for long-term use'.

2 August: How to relieve dry eye syndrome naturally

Emax Health: This is actually a really nice basic educational piece about dry eye causes that includes a solid list of non-drug practical steps for managing chronic dry eye. Thumbs up.

25 July: Dry eye dangers are often missed

USA Today. Humph. I wonder if the journalist was aware that dry eye is the #1 side effect of LASIK when they went and got a quote from a prominent laser surgeon. And the NWHRC gets their little plug in for Restasis... again. Pass.

25 July: Symptoms, causes, treatments for dry eye

The Arizona Republic: "Here's information to help you prevent, identify and treat the problem of dry eye...." Thoroughly respectable article.

23 July: Menopause can cause dry eye syndrome

10 News: "...Dry eye syndrome is a common condition endured by menopausal and peri-menopausal women...." Decent read.

20 July: Can-Fite Initiated Phase IIb Clinical Trials in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients... blah blah

Genengnews.com: "the Company will shortly begin evaluating the efficacy of this drug in the treatment of dry eye syndrome..." I love the word "shortly". Fine, keep saying it, but we sure hope you actually DO it soon.

19 July: International Group Targets Sjögrens Syndrome

UCSF Today: The Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) met in DC recently.... This is a group of clinical and laboratory investigators focusing on the development of the International Sjögren's Syndrome Registry. Don't know much about this organization but it's good to have one out there promoting research on prevention & treatments.

17 July: Alimera Sciences Announces Agreement with CYNACON / OCuSOFT(R), to Co-Promote OCuSOFT(R) Lid Scrub Eyelid Cleanser

PRNewsWire: Whole story in the title. This is probably a good thing as it will increase awareness of the importance of lid hygiene. Presumably prompted in part by the launch of TheraTears Sterilid product.

12 July: Sinclair Pharma: Opthalmology Product Gets Regulatory OK

Sinclair press release page: New product released in the UK as a medical device class I (sterile). From the limited information in the press release it is not clear whether this really presents some truly new or improved kind of mechanism or is basically a souped up artificial tear marketed as a prescription drug. Waiting on more info from Sinclair about active ingredients and preservatives.

1 July: New study puts the focus on dry eye

The Salt Lake Tribune: Bragging about being the seventh worst city for dry eye. Good article overall.