Actress Marisa Tomei Partners with Allergan to Raise Awareness of Chronic Dry Eye

DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Marisa Tomei today announced that she is partnering with Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) to raise awareness and educate consumers about Chronic Dry Eye disease (CDE). Tomei was recently diagnosed with a type of CDE and hopes that by sharing her story she can help others learn more about the disease and encourage them to speak with their eye doctors.

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"At first I didn't give my dry eyes much thought, but after a while they began bothering me throughout the day, causing me to take frequent breaks from filming to reapply over the counter eye drops," said Marisa. "After examining my eyes, my eye doctor told me I have a type of Chronic Dry Eye disease. I was relieved to know there was a reason why my eyes were feeling so dry, and I now use RESTASIS^® to help my eyes make more of their own tears."

RESTASIS^®(cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% is the only prescription available to help people whose tear production is suppressed due to ocular inflammation make more of their own real tears. RESTASIS^® did not increase tear production in patients using anti-inflammatory eye drops or tear duct plugs.

Approximately 31 million Americans suffer from dry eye. One type of CDE is caused by decrease tear production due to ocular inflammation. Healthy eyes need tears. Without enough tears, the film protecting the eye can break down, creating dry spots on the surface of the eye.

"Like Marisa, many patients struggle for years with their dry eye symptoms before discussing them with their eye doctors," 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 Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "Chronic Dry Eye is a progressive disease, and if you find that you're experiencing dry eyes and you're using artificial tears more often, it's important to see your eye doctor to discuss treatment options."

As part of this partnership, Marisa is thrilled to announce that Allergan will be donating $1 for every Dry Eye Quiz taken on RESTASIS.com to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a charitable organization that empowers the lives of the visually impaired by fostering exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities*. Allergan has a rich heritage in innovative eye treatments and has been an expert in eye care for the past 66 years, and this donation reflects Allergan's ongoing commitment and dedication supporting eye health.

"Guide Dogs for the Blind is honored to partner with Allergan and we truly appreciate their support for our mission. Guide Dogs for the Blind is an industry-leading guide dog school, all of our services are provided free of charge and we receive no government funding. The support of community partners such as Allergan makes a positive difference and enhances our efforts to serve and empower the blind and visually-impaired," said Christine Benninger, President and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Learn more about Marisa's story and take the Dry Eye Quiz at www.restasis.com/Guide-Dogs-for-the-Blind.

* For every Dry Eye quiz taken on RESTASIS.com from July 25, 2016 through December 31, 2016, Allergan will donate $1 to Guide Dogs for the Blind, with a minimum donation of $50,000 and a maximum donation of $100,000.

RESTASIS® Important Information

Approved Use

RESTASIS^® Ophthalmic Emulsion helps increase your eyes' natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by inflammation due to Chronic Dry Eye. RESTASIS^® did not increase tear production in patients using anti-inflammatory eye drops or tear duct plugs.

Important Safety Information

Do not use RESTASIS^® Ophthalmic Emulsion if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. To help avoid eye injury and contamination, do not touch the vial tip to your eye or other surfaces. RESTASIS® should not be used while wearing contact lenses. If contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to use of RESTASIS^® and may be reinserted after 15 minutes.

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.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information for Restasis

About Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; we are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of our services are provided free of charge; we receive no government funding. GDB is headquartered in San Rafael, California, with a second campus in Boring, Oregon. More than 14,000 teams have graduated since our founding in 1942, and there are approximately 2,200 active teams in the field. For more information, please visit www.guidedogs.com.

About Allergan

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma.  Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative branded pharmaceuticals, high-quality generic and over-the-counter medicines and biologic products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women's health, urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories, and operates the world's third-largest global generics business, providing patients around the globe with increased access to affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader in research and development, with one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in the submission of generic product applications globally.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (such periodic public filings having been filed under the "Actavis plc" name). Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Allergan plc

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