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Dry Eye Treatment in Pittsfield

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(217) 285-4800

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 International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield 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
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120 Reviews
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- Oct. 03, 2024
Dr. Leahy and his staff are wonderful, patient and accommodating!
- Jul. 31, 2024
(Translated by Google) Excellent service and everyone friendly (Original) Excelente servicio y amab... les todos
- Jun. 23, 2024
Always pleased with my care and experience at ECI. I’ve been a patient of Dr Leahy for many years ... and appreciate his expertise with my eye care each year.
- May. 01, 2024
Great people and service here. They really do want to help you.
- Mar. 05, 2024
Dr. Tim is fun
- Feb. 19, 2024
Dr Leahy is knowledgeable and efficient and experienced
- Dec. 26, 2023
Friendly and very fast
- Oct. 31, 2023
They are the best. Both staff and Dr. Leahy!!
- Jul. 19, 2023
Awesome staff and Dr. Leahy is the best!!
- Jul. 03, 2023
The receptionists are very friendly
- Jun. 28, 2023
Everyone was friendly and helpful. Dr. Leahy made me feel at ease and explained everything in an ea... sy to understand way!
- Aug. 23, 2022
I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Leahy and the staff. I would recommend everyone who hasn't see... n an eye doctor see Dr. Leahy.
- May. 07, 2021
I appreciated the sincere interest Dr. Leahy showed in my eye problem.
- Apr. 23, 2021
I’ve seen lots of eye doctors, but Dr. Leahy is the only one who has ever been able to get me seei... ng well. He explains what he is looking for and why certain things work and do not work in terms that a layperson can understand. He takes all the time he needs to get things right. It is really nice that we have someone who really excels at his profession in such a small town. After ten years living out of state with insurance that would not cover IEC, I finally decided it was worth it to pay out of pocket just to see Dr. Leahy—and see again!
- Jan. 20, 2021
Great place, listens to his patients and talks to you and not at you! Concerned about the health of ... your eyes and is very straightforward in determining what the best course of action is.
- Sep. 29, 2019
IEC is a wonderful place to go for an eye exam. From the time you are going through the process of ... preparing for your exam to the actual exam with Dr. Leahy you’re treated with excellent care.
- May. 26, 2019
Best place to go. Staff and doctor are always helpful and detailed. Always have an answer to my ques... tions.
- Apr. 09, 2019
All I can say is there wonderful! Dr. Timothy Leahy and his group are wonderful people! They are ver... y caring and have a lot of compassion for others, this is much more then a job to them it’s helping others get the best care they can offer so you can see your best and enjoy life to the fullest! Sincerely Marta Ashley
- Jan. 23, 2019
The personal at this office are great, but corporate sucks. If you have the wrong insurance you have... to wait a year for an appointment
- Jan. 14, 2019
This was the best service I have had in years.

View All 120 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Pittsfield

Our optometry practice in Pittsfield

Photograph of Tim  Leahy
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross

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Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(217) 285-4800