DRY EYE CARE · ALL FIVE OFFICES
Relief for dry, burning, tired eyes
Dry eye can make reading, screens, and driving uncomfortable. We look for the cause, not just the symptoms, and build a plan that fits your eyes and your life.
What dry eye feels like
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or when the tears you make don’t stay on the eye the way they should. It can come and go, and it feels a little different for everyone. Common signs include:
- Burning, stinging, or a gritty, sandy feeling
- Watery eyes (yes, watering can be a sign of dry eye)
- Redness and irritation
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Sensitivity to light
- Stringy mucus
- Eyes that feel tired by the end of the day
Some of these symptoms can come from other eye conditions too, so a proper exam is the first step.
Why dry eye happens
Most dry eye comes down to the tear film, the thin layer that protects the front of your eye. When the oil glands along your eyelids (meibomian glands) get blocked, tears evaporate too quickly. Common contributors include:
- Age-related changes in the eyes
- Meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
- Side effects of some medications
- Contact lenses that don’t fit or suit your eyes
- Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
- Laser vision surgery, where dry eye is a common early side effect (call us if it lingers)
- Dry air, wind, smoke, air conditioning, and long stretches of screen time
How we evaluate dry eye
A dry eye check is part of every comprehensive eye exam with us. If dry eye is suspected, we take a closer look. Depending on your symptoms, that may include imaging the oil glands in your eyelids, checking how quickly your tears break up after you blink, using special dyes to highlight dry spots on the eye’s surface, and testing the amount and quality of your tears.
Tear tests we may use include:
TearLab®
A quick test that measures the salt concentration of a tiny tear sample. Tears that are too salty can be a sign of poor-quality tears.
InflammaDry®
A simple in-office test that checks a tear sample from the inside of the lower eyelid for a marker of inflammation, which helps guide treatment.
Then we explain what we found, talk through your options, and schedule follow-up visits to make sure your plan is working.
Treatments available at all five offices
Every Eye Specialists office offers the in-office treatments below. Your doctor will recommend what fits your eyes. Many plans combine an in-office treatment with simple at-home care, such as warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, and the right drops.
TearCare®
A soft, wearable eyelid warming treatment done in the office. Gentle, steady heat softens thickened oils in the eyelid glands, then your doctor clears the glands so healthy oil can reach your tears again.
MiBo Thermoflo®
A warm, gentle massage applied over closed eyelids in the office to soften and loosen blocked gland oils. It’s usually done as a short series of visits.
Red light therapy
Low-level red light delivered through a comfortable mask while you relax with your eyes closed. It’s often paired with other in-office care for the eyelid glands.
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
Gentle pulses of light along the cheeks and around the eyes, aimed at inflammation that can affect the eyelid glands. Your doctor will talk with you about whether IPL suits your skin and eyes.
Amniotic membrane treatment
A thin, natural tissue placed on the front of the eye, much like a contact lens, to support healing of an irritated or damaged eye surface. It dissolves or is removed once it has done its job.
Punctal plugs
Tiny plugs, about the size of a grain of rice, placed in the tear drain of the eyelid so your natural tears stay on the eye longer. Placing them takes just a few minutes.
Meibomian gland probing (Maskin)
For glands that are scarred or fully blocked, the doctor numbs the eyelid and uses a very fine probe to reopen them. Dr. James Deom performs this procedure, mainly at our Hazleton and Pottsville offices.
Other in-office options we use
Our practice also uses these treatments for blocked eyelid oil glands. Ask your office which options are available there.
LipiFlow®
An in-office treatment that applies gentle warmth and pulsing pressure to the eyelids to help clear blocked oil glands. Your doctor will let you know if it’s a good fit for your eyes.
NuVissa® pen
A precise, in-office tool your doctor can use along the eyelid margin to help address blocked oil glands. It may be done as a short series of visits.
Care close to home
Dry eye care is available at all five of our offices. Choose the community that’s most convenient for you.
- Dry eye care in Hazleton · Hazleton Eye Specialists: 570-453-2020
- Dry eye care in Stroudsburg · Stroudsburg Eye Specialists: 570-421-3342
- Dry eye care in Nanticoke · Nanticoke Eye Specialists: 570-735-6000
- Dry eye care in Pottsville · Pottsville Eye Specialists: 570-628-3937
- Dry eye care in Bangor · Bangor Eye Specialists: 610-588-0129
Questions families often ask
Is dry eye just part of getting older?
Age is one factor, but dry eye affects people of all ages, including students and people who spend long days on screens. It’s worth getting checked whatever your age.
Can I just use drops from the store?
Drops can help, but there are many types, and the wrong one may not address the cause. We’ll recommend what fits your eyes before you buy.
Can I still wear contact lenses?
Often, yes. Treating dry eye can make lenses more comfortable, and specialty options like scleral lenses are designed for eyes that are too dry for regular soft lenses.
Ready for more comfortable eyes?
Book an exam at any of our five offices, or call us with questions.