Dry Eyes Specialist

Suburban Eye Associates

Ophthalmologists & Eye Surgeons located in Philadelphia, Jenkintown, & Huntingdon Valley, PA

Most everyone experiences dry, itchy eyes from time to time, but chronic problems with dry eyes can have a widespread impact on your life and affect your vision. At Suburban Eye Associates, their expert team of optometrists, offer comprehensive evaluations and treatments for patients in and around Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who suffer from this uncomfortable condition. If you’re struggling with dry eyes, call the office nearest you to book an appointment today.

Dry Eyes Q&A

What is dry eye?

As the name implies, dry eye disease is a condition that leaves your eyes perennially dry, itchy, and scratchy, and can even cause blurry vision. Approximately 80 million people in the United States suffer from some degree of dry eye, making it a very common problem.

There are two main drivers behind dry eyes:

Meibomian gland dysfunction

Your tears are made of three main ingredients, which are spread out over the surface of your eye every time you blink:

Water to hydrate and nourish your eyes
Mucus to help spread your tears
Oil to keep your tears from evaporating too quickly

Your meibomian glands are responsible for the protective oil layer, and when they’re obstructed, these glands are unable to produce enough of the much-needed oil.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the eyelids that’s caused by an excess of bacterial debris along your lids and lash lines. Over time, chronic inflammation leads to reduced tear gland performance.

No matter the source of the problem, the bottom line is that you’re left with eyes that aren’t getting the nourishment and hydration they need.

What causes dry eyes?

Many conditions lead to dry eyes, chief among them:

Age
Hormonal changes in women
Autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome
Rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition
Environment, including smoke, irritants, and pollutants
Computer screens
Allergies
Contact lens use or eye surgery

The best way to find out what is causing your dry eyes is to see the team at Suburban Eye Associates for a complete analysis.

How do you diagnose and treat dry eyes?

The physicians at Suburban Eye Associates specializes in dry eyes and offers the most advanced diagnostic and treatment tools available.

To get to the bottom of your problem, the team leaves no stone unturned and uses a number of evaluation techniques, including:

Tear film analysis
Gland imaging
Allergy testing
Omega-3 fatty acid analysis

Once they pinpoint the cause of your dry eyes, the team works quickly to find the best solution for your particular situation in order to provide you with relief. While each situation is unique, your provider can turn to a number of effective treatments, including:

Dry eye therapies
Punctal occlusion to slow down drainage
BlephEx® to clean your eyelids
LipiFlow® for gland dysfunction
Intense pulsed light to treat conditions like rosacea

Rest assured, your provider has one goal in mind when it comes to choosing your treatment plan: helping you find long-term relief from dry eyes.

If dry eyes are severely affecting your life, call Suburban Eye Associate to request an appointment.

What we offer