Dry Eye Center

The Dry Eye Center at Weaver Eye Care Associates was created to treat patients living in Berks County and the surrounding areas suffering from dry eye and ocular surface disease, to increase the quality of life of those suffering from these conditions, and to use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and successfully manage dry eye disease.

Significant advances have occurred in our understanding of dry eye and ocular surface disease. Dry eye symptoms can range from mildly annoying to completely disruptive and life-altering. Dry eye disease can present itself in a variety of symptoms, such as:

  • blurred vision

  • fluctuating vision

  • redness

  • foreign body sensation

  • watering

  • sandy-gritty feeling

  • itching

  • burning

  • irritation

  • pain

  • light sensitivity

Our Dry Eye Center welcomes patients with long-standing complex dry eye disease, many of whom had consulted with other eye doctors before coming to our practice. These patients are frustrated and are looking for answers to their chronic condition, answers to questions like:

  • Why do my eyes feel dry when I wake up in the morning?

  • Why does my vision get blurry after reading for only 10-15 minutes?

  • Why do my eyes experience burning when using a computer?

  • Why are my eyes always red?

  • Why can't I wear my contact lenses until the end of the day?

A few of our dry eye treatment options:

Meibomian Gland Expression: Meibomian glands are oil glands that release oil as a part of your natural tears. Many times, dry eye symptoms being because these oil glands that run along the upper and lower eyelids become stagnant. When the oil glands become stagnant, and oil is not getting released into your natural tears, your tears evaporate quickly. Artificial tears may help, but the artificial tears typically offer only temporary relief. Meibomian gland expression involves heating your eyelids to soften the stagnant oil glands and then the glands are massaged to release the stagnant oil in an attempt to revitalize the oil glands to produce better oil for your natural tears.

Blepharoexfoliation: The eyelashes and eyelid margin can become inundated with Demodex mites, which can cause crusty debris along the eyelids. This contributes to blepharitis and inflammation, which causes dry eye. Using a device called NuLids pro, the upper and lower eyelids are mechanically massaged to remove the debris causing this inflammation. Just as you use a toothbrush to brush debris from your teeth, the NuLids Pro brush debris from your eyelids, creating a healthier environment to improve dry eye symptoms.

Punctal Plugs: Dry eye symptoms can also be alleviated by placing dissolvable collagen plugs into the lower drainage ducts of each lower eyelid. This temporary blocking of the draining ducts maintains more moisture on your eyes, improving dry eye symptoms.

Supplements and Medications: Sometimes, additional medical treatment is necessary to reduce inflammation of the eyes and eyelids. Dr. Weaver may prescribe Restasis, Cequa, Xiidra, Xdemvy, steroid drops, and Omega-3 supplements depending on what is causing the symptoms of dry eye.

At the Dry Eye Center at Weaver Eye Care Associates, we have been adding new technology to the practice in order to provide the best quality eye care in the area. Dr. Weaver will carefully assess your dry eye condition and come up with a personalized treatment plan just for you to get you on the right path of clear, comfortable, and stable vision.

If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a dry eye consultation, please call us at 610-488-5315.