Marisa Tomei opens up about her struggle with chronic dry eye

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Marisa Tomei’s health struggle

Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei is one of among an estimated 5 million Americans who suffers from chronic dry eye. She sits down with Dr. Manny to talk about life with the chronic condition

Actress Marisa Tomei is one of among an estimated 5 million Americans who suffers from chronic dry eye (CDE), a condition that can cause symptoms such as itchiness, stinging, difficulty making tears and blurred vision. To raise awareness about CDE and help other people find relief, the “My Cousin Vinny” and “The Wrestler” star has teamed up with pharmaceutical company Allergan and Guide Dogs for the Blind, an organization that trains dogs and pairs them with visually impaired individuals.

After toting around eye drops, Tomei said she has found a solution with Allergan’s prescription drug RESTASIS®, which works by increasing the eyes’ natural ability to produce tears. CDE causes inflammation that can prevent tear production, according to Allergan.

Sometimes, individuals with CDE have trouble opening their eyes, but Tomei said she went to the doctor and reported mild but incessant itchiness and dryness, and was diagnosed with CDE.

She turned to RESTASIS® because she didn’t want to keep worrying about constantly using eye drops.

“It was as simple as going to the doctor, getting a prescription and trying RESTASIS®,” Tomei, 51, who stars in the upcoming “Spider-Man: Homecoming” movie, told FoxNews.com.

She decided to partner with Allergan not only because she found the prescription improved her quality of life but also because of the company’s relationship with Guide Dogs for the Blind. On Restasis.com, you can take the brand’s “dry eye quiz”— for every quiz taken, Allergan has agreed to donate $1 to the organization. When you visit the website, you’ll see a pop-up window with a portal to take the quiz.

Tomei, a self-proclaimed animal lover, expressed that the effort is close to her heart.

“A whole world of freedom opens up [for these individuals] because you can move about a city like this (New York City) or anywhere much more easily, and the dogs can become your eyes,” she said.

The quiz on Restasis.com can help individuals learn whether they’re a candidate for the drug. If you think you may be suffering from CDE, Tomei advised visiting your doctor to receive a diagnosis.

To learn more, visit Restasis.com.