Advocacy in Action: Dry Eye Foundation Brings Patient Voices to Capitol Hill

For the second consecutive year, Alliance for Vision Research partnered with the Dry Eye Foundation to organize and lead its annual Advocacy Day, equipping patients and advocates with the tools and confidence to engage directly with Members of Congress and their staff. The day began with an evening training session, where participants learned about the federal research landscape, effective advocacy strategies, and how to communicate their personal experiences in ways that resonate with policymakers.

Armed with firsthand stories of living with Dry Eye Disease, advocates met with congressional offices to underscore the profound impact this chronic condition has on daily life. They highlighted the persistent pain, vision challenges, mental health burden, and reduced quality of life experienced by millions of Americans, while emphasizing that continued investment in vision research is essential to developing better diagnostics, more effective treatments, and, ultimately, cures.

By combining the scientific expertise shared during the Congressional Briefing with the lived experiences of patients, Advocacy Day provided Congress with a comprehensive understanding of why sustained federal support for vision research matters. Together, these voices reinforced a powerful message: scientific discovery changes lives, and continued investment in research offers hope to millions of individuals and families affected by Dry Eye Disease.

Alliance for Vision Research is proud to partner with the Dry Eye Foundation in advancing this important effort and extends its sincere gratitude to every advocate who traveled to Washington, D.C., to share their story. Their passion, dedication, and willingness to speak on behalf of the broader Dry Eye Disease community are helping shape the future of vision research and improve outcomes for patients nationwide.

As this partnership continues to grow, Alliance for Vision Research looks forward to expanding opportunities for patient organizations to engage with Congress and ensure that the voices of those most affected by vision disorders remain at the center of the national conversation.