Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced the launch of the “ Look at the Lids ” disease education campaign for Demodex blepharitis, a common lid margin disease that can negatively impact patients’ daily activities and eyelid health.
According to a news release from the particular company, the novel campaign is designed to encourage eye care professionals in order to screen for Demodex blepharitis in all vision care patients to identify plus diagnose the particular disease sooner.
The campaign is being unveiled in the American Academy associated with Ophthalmology (AAO) 2022 Annual Meeting from McCormick Place in Chicago and the American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) Yearly Meeting in San Diego.
“ Consider the Lids ” features real Demodex blepharitis patients and will include educational tools and resources for attention care experts, including an informative website ( www.LookattheLids.com ), social media channels, webinars, launch events, and interactive activities with the School conferences.
“We’re thrilled to launch this truly unique disease education campaign with regard to Demodex blepharitis, a pervasive and damaging eye illness that is commonly overlooked, ” Aziz Mottiwala, chief commercial officer of Tarsus, said in the news release. “The goal associated with this campaign is in order to support eyesight care specialists so they can confidently and more frequently diagnose individuals. Tarsus is committed to elevating eyelid wellness, and we look forward to bringing more awareness in order to this disease that negatively impacts so many patients. ”
Accoding to the company, approximately 25 million eyes care sufferers in the particular United States have Demodex blepharitis, a lid perimeter disease characterized by eyelid inflammation, redness, and ocular irritation. The disease is caused by an infestation of Demodex mites, the most common ectoparasite found on humans. Collarettes, the cylindrical waxy debris composed of mite waste products and eggs on the eyelashes, are the pathognomonic sign associated with Demodex blepharitis, and can be identified by an eye care professional when a patient looks down during the slit lamp exam. One hundred percent of patients with collarettes have Demodex blepharitis.
“ Demodex blepharitis, though extremely common, can masquerade as ocular allergies or dry eye disease since the symptoms are often similar, ” said Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Cornea, Laser Cataract & Refractive Surgeon at OCLI Vision in New York. “The disease can be missed unless a watch care professional is specifically looking regarding the presence of collarettes, the sure sign of Demodex blepharitis. ”
Donnenfeld noted in the release that identifying collarettes will be a simple step achieved by asking a patient to appearance down during a routine eye exam.
“I see Demodex in my practice daily, and I am encouraged that there is a campaign that will bring more visibility to this particular disease plus assist other clinicians within their efforts to improve eyelid health, ” he said.
At both Academy meetings, “ Look at the particular Lids ” will have a good interactive exhibit booth featuring a custom photo activation that allows eye treatment professionals in order to showcase their commitment to eyelid wellness by adding their own eyelid photo in order to a real-time updated video wall. The campaign will also feature launch events and interactive activities, all designed to provide condition education.
“It is remarkable how numerous patients I discover who have Demodex just simply by examining their own lashes whenever they look down during a regular vision exam, ” said Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, CEO of BeSpoke Vision in Oklahoma. “This disease is often hiding inside plain sight, and without properly screening for it, several patients go undiagnosed. Demodex can cause damage and discomfort when left untreated, plus I’m excited to be a part of a campaign designed to increase the identification and diagnosis of this very typical disease. ”
Eye care and attention professionals can subscribe to the Collarette Coalition email list and be the particular first in order to receive the latest news and information on Demodex blepharitis at www.LookattheLids.com . The particular website also allows attention care professionals to submit their own photos and videos to the ‘Lid Gallery. ’ Additionally, they can share their very own Demodex blepharitis stories with the eye caution community upon social press by using #LookattheLids and following and tagging @lookatthelids on Instagram and Twitter .
In concert with the campaign – and as part of Tarsus’ commitment in order to education plus innovation within eye care – the company will provide a donation to both the United states Academy associated with Ophthalmology Foundation and the particular American School of Optometry Foundation.