Santen launches long-lasting ‘artificial tear’ treatment and online educational resource to support sufferers in the UK.

Dry eye – a common eye condition which affects 1 in 4 people in the UK[1] – is a particularly sore point for women of menopausal or post-menopausal age, regular screen users and contact lens wearers, according to results of a new 2,000+ person survey commissioned by leading eye care specialist, Santen.[2]

Despite these groups being among the most likely to have dry eye, more than half (53%) of those surveyed didn’t realise they were at risk.[2*] Nearly a third of those with dry eye disease (32%) agreed that they didn’t know where to find information on the condition, and almost half (42%) of respondents who were using treatment for their dry eye disease said it took between one and three years to find an effective treatment.[2]

Mr Sai Kolli, MA(Cantab.), MBBChir, FRCOphth, PhD, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Dry eye is caused by eyes not making enough tears, or because the tears evaporate too quickly, making eyes feel dry, scratchy and irritated. In the last few months, screen usage has increased significantly and nearly all of us look at screens for hours each day – this has a direct impact on the number of people that are likely to experience dry eye symptoms. These new survey findings show that there remains a high level of misunderstanding about this disease among those most likely to be suffering. This is concerning as, while considered a common condition, if not treated properly, severe cases of dry eye could lead to eye damage. It’s vital that anyone suffering has access to a treatment that hydrates, protects and heals their eyes.”

For women of menopausal or post-menopausal age, regular screen users and contact lens wearers, dry eye can be a burdensome, irritating condition which interferes with many aspects of daily life.[3],[4] To support people experiencing dry eye symptoms, Santen has launched its unique hydrating ‘artificial tear’, Cationorm®, and myeyecare.health, an online resource offering information and expert perspectives related to the condition. This new platform provides valuable information that sufferers have previously struggled to find.

Dr Filis Ayan, Ophthalmologist and Medical Affairs Manager at Santen explains: “As a company dedicated to eye health, we are delighted to offer people in the UK effective and dedicated support to help them manage and understand their unpleasant and frustrating dry eye symptoms. Cationorm® offers an advanced, long-lasting, preservative-free treatment, due to its unique solution, allowing many people to live their lives uninterrupted by dry eye.”

Those experiencing dry eye symptoms who wish to find out more about their condition, can visit myeyecare.health.

 

References:
[1] Association of Optometrists. Dry eye syndrome. Available at: https://www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/for-patients/eye-conditions/dry-eye Last accessed November 2020
[2] Santen data on file
[3] Uchino M et al. Curr Ophthalmol Rep 2013;1(2):51–57
[4] The Burden of Dry Eye Disease. The Ophthalmologist. Available at: https://theophthalmologist.com/subspecialties/the-burden-of-dry-eye-disease Last accessed November 2020
[5] National Eye Institute. Dry eye. Available at: https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye Last accessed November 2020
[6] Stapleton et al. The Ocular Surface 2017;15(3):334-65
[7] Peck T et al. J Midlife Health 2017;8(2):51-54