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Dry Eye Treatment in Pittsburgh
Dr. Kristina A. Pusz
Dr. Erinn Tolomei
Find relief from dry, itchy, irritated eyes
Are your eyes constantly dry? Do you struggle with blurry vision or irritating symptoms like burning or a gritty feeling in the eyes? You may be suffering from dry eye disease.
Treating dry eyes will help relieve discomfort and prevent more serious issues. At Pittsburgh Primary Eyecare, we offer dry eye treatment in Pittsburgh to address the underlying causes and not just the symptoms. Our dry eye specialists, Dr. Kristina A. Pusz and Dr. Erinn Tolomei, provide expert care to help you find lasting relief.
“Dry eye can significantly impact comfort and productivity, so I’m committed to finding solutions that restore ease and improve daily life. My focus is on personalized, evidence-based care that delivers lasting relief and supports overall eye health.”
— Dr. Pusz
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease, also known as dry eye syndrome, occurs when your eyes are unable to produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is poor.¹ If left untreated, dry eye disease can lead to complications such as corneal damage or even vision loss in severe cases. That’s why it’s crucial to seek help from a dry eye doctor if you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms.
Our eye doctor can conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the cause of your dry eyes. We will then recommend appropriate treatments, which may include prescription medications or advanced therapies like punctal plugs or in-office procedures.
Common dry eye symptoms
Symptoms can vary in severity but are treatable with the right care. Common symptoms include:
- Stinging or itching eyes
- A scratchy or sandy feeling in your eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eye pain or redness
- Stringy mucus or discharge from your eyes
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Causes of dry eyes
Depending on the cause of your dry eye disease, it can either be temporary or chronic. Dry eye can happen due to a variety of reasons², such as:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes in women (especially during menopause and pregnancy)
- Extended screen time
- Contact lens wear
- Certain medications, like antihistamines or decongestants
- Allergies
- Environmental factors like dry air or windy conditions
- Medical conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
One leading cause is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This occurs when the tear glands in your eyelids don’t produce the right quality or quantity of oil to keep your eyes from drying out.
How is dry eye disease diagnosed?
When you visit us for a dry eye exam, one of our Pittsburgh dry eye doctors will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. We use advanced technologies to diagnose dry eye properly and find the best dry eye treatment:
LipiScan™ Dynamic Meibomian Imager
This cutting-edge technology allows us to scan the meibomian glands in your eyelids, which are crucial for producing the oily layer of tears that helps keep your eyes lubricated. By analyzing the structure and function of these glands, we can determine if they are functioning properly or if any blockages may be contributing to dry eye symptoms. This non-invasive procedure provides valuable insights into your eye health and helps us tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.
TearLab Osmolarity System
TearLab is a quick and painless test that measures the osmolarity (or salt content) of your tears, which can indicate if you have dry eye disease. With this technology, we can assess the health of your tear film and determine the best course of action for managing your symptoms.
Keratograph® 5M
We also use the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M to take a closer, more detailed look at your tear film and overall eye surface health. This non-invasive technology allows us to measure how quickly your tears evaporate, assess tear film stability, and capture detailed images of your meibomian glands. With this level of insight, we can better understand the root cause of your symptoms and create a more personalized dry eye treatment plan for longer-lasting relief.
Holistic, balanced, and quantitative evaluation
Dry eye disease is more common than most people realize. Please take a moment to carefully complete this questionnaire to better enable your eye care provider to help you.
Dry Eye Questionnaire
Complete this questionnaire to better enable your eye care provider to help you.
Dry eye syndrome treatment in Pittsburgh
Our dry eye doctor will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan based on the severity and underlying causes of your dry eye symptoms. One common treatment option is prescription eye drops, which can help lubricate your eyes and reduce inflammation. These drops may need to be used regularly to maintain relief from dry eye symptoms.
Other chronic dry eye treatments include prescription medications, in-office procedures, and managing underlying conditions that contribute to or worsen dry eyes.³
Our team may also suggest making lifestyle changes to help manage your dry eyes. This could include using a humidifier in your home or workplace, taking regular breaks from screen time, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. In severe cases where other treatments are ineffective, we may recommend LipiFlow® treatment.
LipiFlow® dry eye treatment
We provide advanced dry eye treatments in Pittsburgh, including LipiFlow® treatment. This cutting-edge technology targets the underlying cause of dry eye by applying gentle heat and pressure to unclog blocked meibomian glands in your eyelids.
By restoring proper function to these glands, LipiFlow® helps improve your tear quality and reduce inflammation in your eyes. Many patients report significant relief from their dry eye symptoms after just one session of LipiFlow® treatment.
Treat the underlying cause, not just symptoms
“Over-the-counter products often provide only temporary relief because they don’t address the root cause of dry eye. Our treatments are tailored to each patient and use advanced diagnostics and therapies to target the underlying issues for long-term comfort and eye health.”
— Dr. Pusz
Visit our dry eye doctors in Pittsburgh
Are you looking for a dry eye specialist near you? If you’re tired of constantly reaching for artificial tears or struggling with uncomfortable contact lenses due to dry eye, it’s time to visit us for professional care.
Whether your symptoms are temporary or chronic, seeking timely treatment is essential for preserving your eye health and preventing potential complications. Schedule an appointment for dry eye care and start seeing comfortably and clearly once again.
Dr. Kristina A. Pusz
Dry Eye Specialist
