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 not only help relieve discomfort but also prevent more serious issues. At Pittsburgh Primary Eyecare, our dry eye specialists, Dr. Pusz and Dr. Tolomei, have the expertise and technology to properly diagnose and treat dry eye.    

What is dry eye disease?    

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes are unable to produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is poor. 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 an eye care professional if you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms. Your doctor can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your dry eyes and recommend appropriate treatments ranging from prescription medications to advanced therapies like punctal plugs or in-office procedures. 

Causes of dry eyes in Pittsburgh, PA 

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 reasons such as aging, hormonal changes in women (especially during menopause and pregnancy), extended screen time or contact lens wear, certain medications like antihistamines or decongestants, environmental factors like dry air or windy conditions, and even medical conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. One leading cause is meibomian gland dysfunction, which is 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 Pittsburgh Primary Eyecare for a dry eye exam, our skilled optometrists 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 treatment: 

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 overall health of your tear film and determine the best course of action for managing your symptoms.  

Dry eye treatment in Pittsburgh, PA 

Our 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.  

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 

One of the advanced treatments we offer at Pittsburgh Primary Eyecare is Lipiflow®. 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. 

Visit our dry eye specialists in Pittsburgh 

If you’re tired of constantly reaching for artificial tears or struggling with uncomfortable contact lenses due to dry eye, it’s time to seek 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 with our experts today and start seeing comfortably and clearly once again.