SAN DIEGO, Aug. 23, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TearLab Corporation (Nasdaq:TEAR) (TSX:TLB) ("TearLab" or the "Company") today announced that it has launched allaboutdryeye.com, a new consumer website and social media program focused on supporting the Company's Accredited Dry Eye Centers program in North America.
Allaboutdryeye.com was designed to help people suffering from Dry Eye Disease ("DED") by providing a place for them to share their experiences and ask questions, discover the science behind DED, connect with other patients and with doctors, and locate an Accredited Dry Eye Center.
Accredited Dry Eye Centers are eye care practices dedicated to providing the highest quality of DED care using advanced ophthalmic diagnostic techniques and treatments. In order to become accredited, these centers and their appropriate staff members must complete CLIA required activities, follow best practices for DED diagnosis and patient management, participate in a minimum number of TearLab webinars and complete technicians certification training.
"Despite a large and growing patient population, DED has not historically been a major area of eye care practice. There were a variety of reasons for that, including the limited understanding of the disease, the lack of a simple to use, objective and accurate diagnostic tool, and a limited number of treatment options. As a result, DED patients were largely left to suffer through the disease on their own," said Elias Vamvakas, TearLab's Chief Executive Officer.
"Now, with the launch of the TearLab® Osmolarity System and with a growing list of current and potential new treatment options, it is the right time to build an online community like allaboutdryeye.com to spread the word on the importance of properly diagnosing and treating DED," continued Vamvakas.
About The TearLab® Osmolarity System
The TearLab® Osmolarity System uses a novel lab-on-a-chip approach that requires less than 50 nL (nanoliters) of tear fluid in order to measure tear Osmolarity. The TearLab® Osmolarity System eliminates the challenges that previously prevented point-of-care Osmolarity testing. The TearLab® Osmolarity System can produce a sample-to-answer result in less than 30 seconds.
About Dry Eye Disease
DED is a common condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the surface of the eye sufficiently lubricated. It affects approximately 40 million people in the U.S. and 100 million people worldwide. In its mild to moderate forms, it can impact vision and the ability to go about daily activities. In its more severe forms, DED can lead to permanent loss of vision.
About TearLab Corporation
TearLab Corporation (www.tearlab.com) develops and markets lab-on-a-chip technologies that enable eye care practitioners to improve standard of care by objectively and quantitatively testing for disease markers in tears at the point-of-care. The TearLab Osmolarity Test, for diagnosing Dry Eye Disease, is the first assay developed for the award-winning TearLab Osmolarity System. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, TearLab Corporation's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol 'TEAR' and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'TLB'.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about TearLab. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding future increases in the number of insurers covering the TearLab® Osmolarity test and the future commercial adoption of the TearLab™ Osmolarity System. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. Many factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including the factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to our annual and quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.