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Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic Dry Eye Questions

What is Chronic Dry Eye?
Chronic Dry Eye, sometimes called Dry Eye Disease or Dry Eye Syndrome, is known by the scientific name keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It is a common condition that can result in inflammation on both the eye surface as well as the tear-producing glands. Over time, inflammation can decrease the eye's ability to produce tears that protect the surface of the eye and keep it moist and lubricated. This, in turn, can lead to damage to the eye's surface. If left untreated, severe forms of the condition can lead to more serious problems, including increased risk of infection and possibly vision impairment.
What are the causes of Chronic Dry Eye?
Chronic Dry Eye can be caused by inflammation of the tear-producing gland of the eye, resulting in a declining quantity of tears. It may also be caused by hormonal changes associated with aging and menopause, medical conditions such as arthritis, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, and by some prescription and over-the-counter medications
What about allergies and weather conditions?
Environmental, occupational, and lifestyle factors, such as allergies, smoke, dry air, dust, the wearing of contact lenses for extended periods of time or prolonged computer use can aggravate Chronic Dry Eye, but they are not the cause. A cause of Chronic Dry Eye can be a dysfunction of the tear-producing gland, which can result in reduced tear production due to inflammation.
How do I know if I have Chronic Dry Eye?
Your eye doctor can check your eyes for clinical signs of Chronic Dry Eye due to inflammation. He or she also may use several quick and painless tests to measure visual clarity, tear production, eye surface dryness, and damage to the cornea or conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids). Your eye doctor will find it helpful if you describe your condition in detail.

If you routinely use artificial tears several times a day, you should see your eye doctor and ask about RESTASIS® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% .
What do artificial tears do?
Artificial tears can provide temporary symptom relief from Chronic Dry Eye and help lubricate eyes. But they do not increase your natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye.

RESTASIS® Product Information

How effective is RESTASIS®?
Many patients who used RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion as directed – one drop, twice a day – began to experience a significant increase in tear production with continued use. Patients may continue to get benefits of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion with continued use.
Is RESTASIS® well tolerated?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion has a favorable safety profile. In fact, in clinical studies, there was no increase in eye infection or detectable drug absorption in the blood of patients treated with RESTASIS® in up to 12 months of treatment. Furthermore, interaction with other drugs would not be expected.
What about the side effects of RESTASIS®?
The most common side effect is a temporary burning sensation. Other side effects include eye redness, discharge, watery eyes, eye pain, foreign body sensation, itching, stinging, and blurred vision.
Who should not use RESTASIS®?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion should not be used by patients with active eye infections and has not been studied in patients with a history of herpes viral infections of the eye.
How long will I have to use RESTASIS®?
At present, there is no cure for Chronic Dry Eye. You receive benefits from RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion as long as you continue its use. Always consult with your eye doctor before discontinuing use.
Can I use RESTASIS® with contact lenses?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion should not be used while wearing contact lenses. Patients with decreased tear production typically should not wear contact lenses. If contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to using RESTASIS®. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
Will I still need artificial tears?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion can be used with artificial tears. Some patients continue use of their lubricant eye drops along with their RESTASIS® therapy. But as your eyes improve in their ability to make their own tears, you may find you don’t need them as often.
Is RESTASIS® available over the counter?
No, you will need to see your eye doctor to obtain a prescription for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
Is RESTASIS® covered by health insurance?
If your eye doctor determines that RESTASIS® is the appropriate treatment for you, you should know that RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion is reimbursed by many prescription plans offered by major health insurers in the United States. Reimbursement amounts vary by plan. For the specific details of your own coverage, it is always wise to consult your health insurance carrier for the most up-to-date information.

My Tears, My Rewards® Program Information

How does the RESTASIS® My Tears, My Rewards® program work?
When you enroll in the program (either online or by telephone), we will send you a welcome kit containing program information and seven preprinted mail-in program certificates. These program certificates, along with pharmacy receipts are required to earn your rewards.
How do I earn my rewards?
When you have sent in 4 program certificates and 4 pharmacy receipts, we will mail you a valuable rebate check.

When you have sent in 6 program certificates, and 6 pharmacy receipts, you will receive a free 12 month magazine subscription.

When you have sent in 7 program certificates, and 7 pharmacy receipts, we will send you a voucher for 1 free tray (32 vials) of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
Where do I send my program certificates and receipts?
To submit your receipts and program certificates, please mail your receipts and program certificates together to the following address:

RESTASIS® My Tears, My Rewards® program
PO Box 6513
West Caldwell, NJ 07007
How do I enroll in the My Tears, My Rewards® program?
You can enroll online or by telephone. To enroll in the My Tears, My Rewards® program online, visit the RESTASIS® Web site. Go to www.RESTASIS.com/MTMR and click on the tab for My Tears, My Rewards®. Enrolling online will give you access to all the features of the program.

If you prefer, you can enroll by telephone by dialing 1-866-764-4684.

Please note: You must have a prescription for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion to participate in this portion of the My Tears, My Rewards® program.
I get 2 trays (64 vials) of RESTASIS® each time I fill my prescription. Should I use 1 or 2 program certificates when I send in my pharmacy receipts?
In this case, you would send in 2 program certificates with your pharmacy receipt for your 2 trays. One program certificate is to be used for each purchase of 1 tray of 32 vials of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
I have a mail order pharmacy plan, so I get several months worth of RESTASIS® at a time. How many purchases will this count for toward my free voucher?
Mail order prescriptions include receipts and/or packing slips that list the number of trays that have been shipped to you. When you submit program certificates for the multiple trays you received through the mail, enclose the receipt or packing slip and also include 1 program certificate for each tray of 32 vials of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
How do I redeem my rebate that I received after purchasing 4 trays and submitting my receipts and program certificates?
Send your pharmacy receipt with your rebate and you will receive a check for up to $20 within 6 to 8 weeks.
Does my mail order pharmacy accept the voucher for a free tray of 32 vials of RESTASIS®?
Call your mail order pharmacy program to determine whether they will accept the voucher. If they do not, we suggest that you ask your doctor for a duplicate prescription for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion that you may use at a convenient retail pharmacy.
I sent my voucher for a free tray of RESTASIS® to my mail order pharmacy program and the voucher was rejected.
Some mail order pharmacy programs do not accept the voucher for a free tray of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion. We recommend that you call your mail order pharmacy program to determine whether this is their policy. If they do not accept the voucher, we suggest that you ask your doctor for a duplicate prescription for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion that you may use at a convenient retail pharmacy.
My pharmacy/pharmacist did not accept my voucher for a free tray of RESTASIS®. What should I do?
A toll-free telephone number is printed in the program details of your voucher, in the “TO THE PHARMACIST” section. Ask your pharmacist to call that telephone number with any questions he or she may have about the validity of your voucher.
What does Allergan, Inc. do with the information I provided in the online survey?
Your information, along with the information of other program members, is used to learn more about Chronic Dry Eye sufferers and our program members. This information will also be used to continually improve the My Tears, My Rewards® program. Your personal information is not shared with anyone and is not disclosed to any third-party individuals or government agencies, except as may be specifically required by law.
After I receive my voucher for a free tray of RESTASIS®, can I enroll in the program again?
After receiving a free tray of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion, you will automatically be re-enrolled in the program, and 7 new program certificates will be sent to you.
My spouse and I both use RESTASIS®. Is there a limit to the number of My Tears, My Rewards® members per household/family?
More than 1 family or household member may enroll in the My Tears, My Rewards® program. Each family or household member should submit his or her program certificates and pharmacy receipts separately to ensure being awarded the correct number of credits.
How can I learn more about RESTASIS®?
Product information and questions and answers about RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion are available online at www.RESTASIS.com. If you haven’t already received a copy of our educational brochure, you can either download a copy or request to have one mailed to you by visiting the Web site.

My Tears, My Rewards® Program Timing

How much time do I have to use my rebate before it expires?
Your rebate will be valid until the date printed on the rebate.
How long before I receive my rebate check?
Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for your rebate check to arrive.
When will I receive my voucher for a free tray?
Your voucher will be mailed within 5 business days after your last program certificate is received. The voucher is good for 1 free tray of 32 vials of RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
I am concerned that I might not get all my program certificates in on time. How long will the program be available?
My Tears, My Rewards® members have 1 year from their date of program enrollment to send in all 7 program certificates and 7 pharmacy receipts. Your program expiration date is printed on the program certificate(s).
How much time do I have to use the voucher for my free tray before it expires?
The voucher is valid for 1 year from the issue date printed on each voucher.
I have receipts for RESTASIS® purchases prior to May 1, 2005. Can I submit these receipts for credit toward my 7 purchases needed to receive a free tray of RESTASIS®?
No, only receipts dated after your enrollment date count toward your rewards.

My Tears, My Rewards® Online Account Questions

I have sent in more program certificates than my online account is showing. How frequently is the Web site updated to include my latest account information?
The Web site is updated weekly with program certificate information received since the prior update. You should see your updated My Tears, My Rewards® account information online within 2 to 3 weeks from the date you sent in your last program certificate(s).
I have waited 3 weeks for the Web site to update since I last sent in my program certificate(s), and my account still hasn’t been credited. Whom should I contact to resolve this issue?
Click Contact Us to send an e-mail to a Customer Service Representative. He or she will check your account and send you an e-mail within 2 business days with your updated account information.
I received a message saying I entered the wrong e-mail address or password for my online account. How can I retrieve the correct log-in information or correct this problem if I feel I received this message in error?
Click Contact Us to send an e-mail to a Customer Service Representative. He or she will check your account and send you an e-mail within 2 business days with your correct account log-in information.
I don’t have regular access to the Internet. Can I check the My Tears, My Rewards® account by telephone?
Yes. You can dial 1-866-423-5523 to check the status of your account, including how many program certificates you have submitted to the program.

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RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion helps increase your eyes’ natural ability to produce tears which may be suppressed by inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye. Increased tear production was not seen in patients using topical steroid drops or tear duct plugs.

Important Safety Information:

RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion should not be used by patients with active eye infections and has not been studied in patients with a history of herpes viral infections of the eye. The most common side effect is a burning sensation. Other side effects include eye redness, discharge, watery eyes, eye pain, foreign body sensation, itching, stinging, and blurred vision.

Please see product information for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.