Dry Eye Foundation Launches “Dry Eye in DC” Events July 11-12, 2025
POULSBO, WASHINGTON – June 18 2025 – In recognition of Dry Eye Awareness Month 2025, Dry Eye Foundation (DEF) is introducing Dry Eye in DC, a two-day series of events where dry eye patients and their doctors can gather as a community for advocacy and education.
Dry Eye Advocacy Day - July 11
DEF and the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) are partnering to connect constituents with their representatives, raise awareness about Dry Eye Disease and advocate for unmet needs such as treatment research, improved treatment access, and OTC eye drop safety. Dry eye patients, advocates and eye care providers are invited to Washington, DC to participate on Capitol Hill on Friday, July 11. Prior registration and training are required.
The public is also invited to attend the Dry Eye Disease Congressional Briefing at noon at the Rayburn House Office Building Room 2060.
Dry Eye Reception - July 11 (evening)
DEF is hosting a reception on July 11 from 5-7pm at the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol to connect participating patients, providers, advocates and industry. The reception theme is “Ocular Surface Pain (OSP)”. DEF is actively advocating for the use of the term OSP in relation to the eye symptoms the community experiences.
Dry Eye Symposium - July 12
The final event of Dry Eye in DC is DEF’s hybrid Dry Eye Patient Symposium on Saturday, July 12th from 8:30am - 4:30 pm EDT. The Symposium will be held in-person at the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol and available virtually via Zoom Livestream. DEF welcomes four doctor panelists, Sandra Brown MD, Gloria B. Chiu OD FAAO FSLS, Anat Galor MD MSPH, and Deborah Jacobs MD as well as six patient panelists to share their expertise. Sessions range from examining disease impact and problem-solving discussions (including mental health) to medical discussion of disease, diagnosis and treatment topics, a deep dive into "What works?" from both scientific and real-world perspectives, strategies for bridging communication gaps in the patient-doctor relationship, and what the future of DED holds.
DEF would like to thank the following industry partners for their sponsorship of Dry Eye in DC: Abbvie, Bruder Healthcare, The Dry Eye Shop, EyeCool Therapeutics, Oasis Medical, Ocusoft, Scope Eyecare, Sight Sciences, Tangible Science, Tarsus, Viatris, Vital Tears.
DEF welcomes interested patients, providers, and advocates to register for Dry Eye in DC events at dryeyefoundation.org/dc.
About Dry Eye Awareness Month
In 2005, the Sjögren’s Foundation, along with coalition partners, asked Congress to officially declare July “Dry Eye Awareness Month” to help increase awareness of dry eye, while also educating the public about symptoms and treatment options.
About Dry Eye Foundation
The Dry Eye Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Poulsbo, Washington. Its mission is to improve patients' quality of life. The ocular surface diseases and ocular surface pain disorders that many patients face have profound functional, financial and emotional impact. Dry Eye Foundation is working to restore hope, redefine disease and reshape the future for people with these conditions, through its community service, education, research and advocacy programs.
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Aidan Moore
Rebecca Petris
800-484-0244
info@dryeyefoundation.org
About NAEVR
The National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to securing robust federal funding for vision research. Through strategic lobbying and grassroots advocacy efforts, NAEVR works tirelessly to ensure that the National Eye Institute (NEI) and other vision-related research programs, including the Department of Defense’s (DoD) vision initiatives, receive critical support from Congress. NAEVR engages with legislators, federal agencies, and key stakeholders to highlight the impact of vision research on public health, innovation, and the economy. By championing the needs of scientists, patients, and the broader eye health community, NAEVR drives meaningful policy changes that advance treatments and protect sight for millions of Americans.
Judy Hill
Director, Communications and Events
National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research/Alliance for Eye and Vision Research
judy@eyeresearch.org
240.351.3413
