Vision Therapy in Pittsburgh

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(412) 788-4664

Understanding the Symptoms

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and its symptoms can vary in severity. It's crucial to recognize the signs of dry eye early to seek appropriate treatment and improve your eye health and comfort.

man with sore eyes


Common Symptoms to Look Out For

woman with red eyes

Experiencing dry eye symptoms can greatly affect your daily life and overall health. These symptoms can disrupt your work, hobbies, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks comfortably.

The constant discomfort and distraction caused by these symptoms can lower your productivity and overall quality of life. 

Here are common signs that may indicate dry eye syndrome:

  • Dryness:
    A persistent sensation of dryness, grittiness, or eye irritation.
  • Itching:
    Frequent itching or a burning sensation in and around the eyes.
  • Redness:
    Bloodshot or red eyes, often accompanied by discomfort.·
  • Excessive Tearing:
    Paradoxically, your eyes may produce more tears as a response to dryness, leading to watery eyes.
  • Blurry Vision:
    Vision may become temporarily blurred, particularly when reading or using digital screens.
  • Light Sensitivity:
    Increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.
  • Foreign Body Sensation:
    Feeling as though something is in your eye.
  • Eye Fatigue:
    Increased eye fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of reading, screen time, or other visually demanding tasks.

Ignoring dry eye symptoms can lead to worsening discomfort and potential complications. Chronic dry eye can damage the eye's surface and increase the risk of eye infections, scarring, and vision loss. Seeking professional guidance if you're experiencing any of these symptoms is crucial.


Dry Eye Diagnosis and Expert Care

When you choose VisionMakers - Pittsburgh for your dry eye care, you benefit from our expertise in comprehensive diagnosis. We understand that your unique health history and lifestyle can affect your dry eye differently, which is why we practice personalized care tailored to you. Our approach includes:

  • In-Depth Eye Exams

    During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate your eyelids, eye surface, and your complete health history and lifestyle to identify potential underlying causes of dry eyes.

  • Tear Assessment

    We conduct a detailed assessment of your tears, measuring their volume and quality. This assessment helps us identify any deficiencies in tear quantity or quality, crucial factors in dry eye diagnosis.

  • Tear Breakup Time

    Using advanced techniques like tear breakup time measurement, we identify specific areas of your eyes where tears may evaporate more rapidly. This information aids in tailoring your treatment plan.

  • Specialized Dry Eye Test: Schirmer Test

    This test involves placing blotting test paper strips on the lower eyelids to measure tear production over a specific time. It helps determine the volume of tears your eyes produce.

Patient Reviews
4.7
81 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Dec. 13, 2024
Every one that works at VisionMakers are extremely friendly and helpful love my experience with all ... the staff members and the DR.
- Dec. 05, 2024
Fast, Easy, And friendly service. Got Glasses mailed to me with no problems.
- Nov. 18, 2024
Very friendly and helpful staff
- Nov. 01, 2024
I used to come to VisionMakers until I graduated college in 2013 due to my parents using them while ... growing up. Recently I returned to the area due to difficult circumstances and reached out to them for help. VisionMakers, Maggie in particular went above and beyond to help me out. She was so thoughtful and caring and it showed. You can really tell how good a business or branch is based on the people that work there and from my experience today, words honestly can’t describe the warmth and care this branch gives out.
- Oct. 26, 2024
Loved the friendly atmosphere! The staff and doctor made me feel comfortable. The staff helped me w... ith making sure my insurance was correct the spelling of my name was incorrect. They helped me also picking out glasses which I truly appreciated !! The doctor was so sweet and answered any questions I had for her! I felt comfortable!
- Oct. 24, 2024
Very friendly and helpful staff. Doc was great.
- Aug. 21, 2024
Dr. Emma Thompson is very kind and understanding. As a college student suffering from Dry Eye with n... o insurance, she has been very helpful in minimizing my required medication and appointments. Overall a very positive and kind woman! Recommend 🙂
- Jul. 04, 2024
Very friendly, very helpful and accommodating highly recommend!
- Jun. 13, 2024
Continue the great work!
- Jun. 07, 2024
Great place for glasses I would recommend them
- Mar. 27, 2024
I absolutely love my new glasses! Jess is fabulous and very intuitive. She has a great sense of what... the clients styles are. She helped me pick my glasses out. She was very patient and understanding with my own indecisiveness. They were all so kind towards me. The Doctor was very thorough and explained everything to me as she did the exam. I have been worrying about possibly having an underlying issue with my eyes the last yr.. yr and a half. But unfortunately I’m just getting old and need readers (in my own words ofc)😆. I read a lot and evr since I’ve been trying to read with my glasses on it makes such a difference. I don’t get the headaches I was getting and the blurry vision afterwards is gone. Also the woman at the front desk that does the scheduling was just a very nice and helpful person. Oh and I dnt want to forget about the 1st woman I seen that did the picture of the back of my eyes and the vision test.. she’s the best! She helped me SO much and was just a joy to talk to while I was with her. It’s like a big family there. The staff is what makes Visionmakers. Truly top tier. I would recommend this office to a family member. Thanks Jess and all the women at Vision makers that I seen that day!🥰. Ps I apologize for being horrible with names!🤦🏼‍♀️
- Mar. 22, 2024
Great staff!!
- Mar. 15, 2024
Great service, friendly staff. They could use a better sign out front.
- Mar. 06, 2024
Got called the day before to confirm my insurance and the day of the visit it was some quick paper w... ork and in to see the eye doctor. Out and looking thru glasses in the next 30m I think and giving great explanations on everything and what my insurance covers. Glasses came in a week later and didn't need to worry about anything with the fittings. Overall very glad I chose them.
- Feb. 21, 2024
Dr Emma Thompson is great. She was able to quickly do my eye exam and then explained the results to... me in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, she laid out my options for vision care as well as gave her recommendation. The front office staff was friendly and efficient as well. I will be recommending VisionMakers to my friends and family
- Feb. 15, 2024
I have been a customer for years--and have always been pleased with the service and the staff. My w... ife and older son both wear glasses and have been using them as well. Jess is always over the top with ideas and insurance questions are answered while you wait. I can't recommend them enough! Certainly worth the trip to Robinson Township! FIVE STARS!!!
- Jan. 20, 2024
I recently got 4 glasses from Vision Markers, the staff was 10/10. They put me in the right lenses f... or the correct use. I got the blue light and glare reduction lenses for my everyday glasses, and it’s a game changer! Worth every penny. The staff seemed to care about my glasses as much as I did. It was truly amazing!
- Dec. 18, 2023
They were kind and knowledgeable. I will return to them for sure
- Jun. 02, 2023
Very professional, great service!
- Sep. 06, 2022
Was there today, the one by Settlers Cabin Park, Jess did a fantastic job taking care of my problem ... with my glasses, Thankyou so very much , Five Stars!!!!!!!!!!!

View All 81 Reviews

Dry Eyes in Pittsburgh

Our optometry practice in Pittsburgh

Photograph of Emma  Thompson
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At VisionMakers - Pittsburgh, our experienced eye care specialists are ready to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms. We understand these symptoms' impact on your daily life and are committed to improving your eye health and comfort.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your dry eye symptoms. Let's work together to find the most suitable treatment and enhance your quality of life.

(412) 788-4664