woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Irwin

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(724) 864-7777

Tired of your eyes constantly watering?

Want to find a solution for your red, dry, itchy eyes?

Dry eye disease can seriously harm your quality of life. It can cause severe irritation and even infection in severe cases.

Symptoms of dry eye disease include:

  • Red, dry eyes
  • Itchiness in and around the eye
  • A gritty-feeling in the eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Excessive watering of the eyes

Visit Your Family Eye Doctors - North Huntingdon for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

man with dry eye sneeze

Dry eye disease is an increasingly common eye condition that can happen either because the eye is not producing enough tears, or because tears are evaporating too quickly, leaving the eyes without enough moisture to function comfortably.

This can happen for several reasons including allergies, side effects from medications, hormonal changes, and illness.

Depending on the cause and exact symptoms of your dry eyes, our Irwin eye doctors will be able to prescribe treatments and medications aimed at increasing the amount of tears your eye produces and/or slowing the evaporation of tears to better hydrate your eyes.


What Are the Main Causes of Dry Eye?

  • Aging

    Dry eye disease tends to affect people over the age of 50. This is because tear production slows as we age. As the lacrimal glands produce fewer tears, dry eye develops.

  • Hormonal changes

    It's not uncommon for some women to experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control pills. That's because hormone imbalances can reduce tear production.

  • Autoimmune disease

    Certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause white blood cells to attack your tear glands, thus reducing tear production. Other diseases like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes can also cause poor or insufficient tear production.

  • Medications

    Certain medications can reduce mucus production (one of the 3 tear components) thus contributing to chronic dry eye.

    They include antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.

Note that this is just a handful of causes. There are many other factors that can contribute to dry eye, including pollution and dry air, allergies, poor tear quality, dehydration, contact lens wear, and more.


Dry Eyes FAQs

Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eye syndrome?

Yes, some people can still wear contact lenses with dry eye syndrome. However, depending on its severity, you may need to carefully select the adequate contact lens for optimal clarity and comfort.

Oftentimes, because contact lenses sit on the eye, it's difficult for vital oxygen to reach the eye. This can worsen dry eye symptoms, and increase the risk of scratching or otherwise damaging your eye. Make sure to ask your eye doctor which contact lenses are most adapted to your condition.

Can dry eye syndrome be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dry eye syndrome. There are, however, many treatment options that offer lasting dry eye relief.

Can dry eye syndrome cause blindness?

In rare extreme cases, dry eye syndrome can cause corneal ulcers. These ulcers can result in scarring on the eye, making it difficult for the cornea to focus light accurately. If left untreated, corneal ulcers and the associated scarring can result in blindness.

How can I prevent dry eye symptoms?

Below are a few tips that will help prevent dry eye symptoms:

  • Point fans, heaters, and air vents so that they don’t directly blow into your eyes
  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Take breaks during long tasks, especially those that require extended visual focus
Patient Reviews
4.5
235 Reviews
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- Oct. 22, 2024
No waiting smooth process thorough Dr exam. Perfectly uneventful.
- Oct. 19, 2024
Nice office. Clean and bright. Very helpful staff.
- Sep. 26, 2024
Dr Campana is very friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and thorough. He always takes time to explain... everything and answer any questions I may have.
- Sep. 20, 2024
Wonderfully professional and knowledgeable people!
- May. 24, 2024
Excellent experience! Dr. Maggie Nikituk was wonderful…she was very knowledgeable, friendly, answe... red all of my questions, on time, and provided a great experience overall. I highly recommend this office and Dr. Nikituk as an Optometrist. You can tell she truly cares about her patients and she provides a comfortable atmosphere for everyone!
- May. 09, 2024
Dr. Campana and staff are fantastic - very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. I feel very co... mfortable asking questions and expressing concerns without feeling rushed.
- Mar. 22, 2024
Dr Campana is the absolute best as well as his staff! Everyone is so kind and professional! I would ... recommend this office to anyone looking for eye care!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Quick and precise. Friendly and professional. Glasses a week later.
- Feb. 01, 2024
Great experience. Efficient & quick process from start to finish! Staff was nice & welcoming! Small ... selection of glasses but a vast array of different styles to choose from!
- Jan. 18, 2024
Very customer friendly!
- Dec. 30, 2023
I highly recommend using the services of Your Family Eye group in N. Huntingdon. Every employee I de... alt with during my exam was professional and knowledgeable.
- Dec. 30, 2023
Awesome care!
- Dec. 16, 2023
Very friendly and caring employees at fair prices for glasses and contacts
- Nov. 14, 2023
Very professional & thorough! I feel I am getting the ultimate care for my vision
- Oct. 08, 2023
Dr Ron and the staff are the best!
- Sep. 14, 2023
Great staff. Awesome doctor!
- Jul. 29, 2023
My symptoms were taken seriously, and I was examined thoroughly within a couple of hours after I ca... lled. Never a bad experience here!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Friendly staff
- Jul. 07, 2023
Dr. Nikituk was awesome. So helpful with my dry eye issues. Inserted punctal plugs at my last vist. ... Huge improvement. The staff is great and I've always received great service and care with exams and eyeglasses
- Jun. 30, 2023
I had metal in my eye from a work injury. The staff got me in to see the doctor right away. The ... doctor repaired my eye within minutes of my arrival. Great staff and great doctors.

View All 235 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Irwin

Our optometry practice in Irwin

Photograph of Chris  Cakanac
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VBA
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna
  • UPMC Health Plan

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Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(724) 864-7777