Allergen, maker of Restasis, is partnering with Kyle Richards, the star of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” to raise awareness about Chronic Dry Eye. 

Richards said, “My doctor prescribed Restasis, and after using it daily for six months, I noticed I was making more of my own tears.” Her personal story with the confdition and how it affected her daily life is posted on Restasis’ website.

One type of Chronic Dry Eye disease occurs when eyes do not produce the right quantity of tears due to ocular inflammation.i Without enough tears, the film protecting the eye can break down, creating dry spots on the eye surface. Other causes of the disease include advanced age, contact lens wear, certain medications, eye diseases, other medical conditions or environmental factors. 

“In my practice, I see many patients with Chronic Dry Eye disease who, like Kyle, have tried to find relief with artificial tears for several years before talking to an eye doctor,” 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 Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital.