Dry Eye Foundation invites you to send a letter to your members of Congress.

This letter supports increased federal investment in Dry Eye Disease research, access to patient-centered treatments, insurance reform, and the protection of regulatory and research infrastructure critical to advancing eye health.

There is a section in this letter for you to share your dry eye story or thoughts about dry eye, ocular surface disease, or ocular surface pain.

Consider sharing:

  • What do you want Congress to know about living with Dry Eye Disease or related conditions?

  • How has it affected your daily life, work, or mental health?

  • Have you experienced challenges accessing treatment or specialty care?

  • What changes are needed to improve care and outcomes?

Start writing

Dry Eye Disease affects over 16 million diagnosed Americans—and millions more are undiagnosed. Far more than "just dry eyes," this is a chronic, often highly painful condition that often significantly affects reading, driving, working, sleep, and quality of life. The disease costs $3.8B annual direct burden, with billions more in lost productivity and indirect costs.

Join us for a Congressional Briefing on Friday, July 17, at 12:00 PM, Rayburn Room 2168, to learn more.

We ask Congress to:

  • Provide $1B for the NEI in FY2027 to accelerate research, address the growing burden of eye disease, and support breakthroughs that benefit patients across medicine.

  • Continued investment in therapies that measure success through validated patient-reported outcomes, ensuring treatments improve what matters most to patients.

  • Pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 5509 / S. 2903) to improve step therapy protocols and help patients access the treatments their physicians recommend.

  • Encourage timely CMS coverage of innovative ocular surface drugs and devices that demonstrate meaningful patient benefit, reducing unnecessary barriers and unaffordable out-of-pocket costs.

  • Oppose staffing reductions at FDA's CDER and CDRH to ensure timely review of safe and effective therapies.

  • Join the Congressional Vision Caucus to support policies that improve those living with vision-related diseases and disabilities.