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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, Angela sits down with Executive Director of the Dry Eye Foundation, Aidan Moore. Aidan recounts the story of the Dry Eye Foundation, busting myths and sharing resources along the way. Together, they discuss the growing rate of dry eye, safety, and what people should know if they have recently been diagnosed.

🎧If you have been diagnosed with dry eye, or are supporting someone who has, this episode is for you! 🎧

Aidan Moore is Executive Director of the Dry Eye Foundation. He is a sympathetic listener, supporter, and advocate for dry eye patients, and he believes in using DEF’s platform to reshape the future for dry eye patients. He has been integral to DEF’s community support programs and educational initiatives like the Dry Eye Helpline, Dry Eye Zoom Groups, Eye Drop Safety, MyDryEyeData and more. His motto is “how can we help?”

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend. 

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Want more? Visit our website dryeyegirlfriend.com, and connect with Angela on Instagram (@dryeyegirlfriend) and TikTok (@dryeyegirlfriend). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Donate to the Dry Eye Foundation: dryeyefoundation.org/donate
• Dry Eye Zone Guidebook (print and digital): dryeyezone.com/guidebook
• Community Support (Helpline, Zoom Groups, and more): dryeyefoundation.org/support
• Dry Eye Foundation YouTube Channel (Webinars, Symposium, and more): youtube.com/c/dryeyefoundation
• Eye Drop Safety: eyedropsafety.org
• How to check the Amazon seller of your eye drops: eyedropsafety.org/news/blog/check-amazon-seller-video
• Dry Eye Disease and Me Survey (2019-2021): mydryeyedata.org

Show Notes  

0:49 - Today's special guest Aidan Moore tells us how the Dry Eye Foundation was started, detailing the development of its programs and resources 

8:10 - Aidan details themes that are coming out of the millennial discussion group he leads

10:24 - Aidan details the connection between dry eye and mental health

13:40 - Aidan shares myths and misconceptions about dry eye and treatments

21:06 - Aidan details how the Dry Eye Foundation is helping advocate and push change in research and policy

26:17 - Angela and Aidan discuss the growing rate of dry eye

28:19 - Aidan dives into eyedrop safety, and how to trust the products you put in/near their eyes

34:49 - Aidan describes what Dry Eye Awareness Month (July) looks like for the organization

39:35 - Aidan shares his advice for those newly diagnosed 

42:38 - Aidan details what happens if you reach out to the Dry Eye Foundation

46:43 - Aidan divulges how caregivers can get involved in supporting the work of the Dry Eye Foundation

48:35 - Angela wraps up the episo