Vision Therapy in Washington

Discover the Right Dry Eye Treatment for You

(202) 659-6555

Reclaim Vision Comfort and Clarity

Many people struggle with dry eye symptoms that hinder them from reaching their full potential. Don’t let dry eyes prevent you from seeing clearly and comfortably.

Dry eye symptoms can be more than just a minor inconvenience. They can impact your daily life, making it difficult to focus on work, enjoy your favorite activities, or simply relax. Imagine constantly battling the sensation of dryness, grittiness, or irritation in your eyes or dealing with redness and discomfort that affects your confidence.

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Why Choose Dry Eye Treatment?

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Even daily activities like reading or using digital screens can become a challenge when your vision is blurred or your eyes are overly sensitive to light.

The constant discomfort and distraction caused by these symptoms can lower your productivity and overall quality of life. That said, there's hope! Tailored dry eye treatment can bring swift and long-lasting relief, improving your eye health and quality of life.


Exploring Dry Eye Treatments:

Finding the most suitable treatment for dry eyes is essential for lasting relief and optimal eye health. Let's explore a few effective options to help you regain comfort and clarity in your vision.

  • Comfort and Clarity with Specialized Contact Lenses

    Contact lenses have emerged as a popular choice for dry eye sufferers. Specifically designed soft contact lenses can help maintain a stable tear film, reducing friction between the eyelids and the cornea.

    Contact lenses for dry eyes retain moisture and provide ongoing hydration, offering comfort and improving vision. They are a convenient option that can significantly alleviate dry eye symptoms.

  • Instant Relief with Lubricating Eye Drops

    One of the most straightforward and accessible solutions for dry eye is using artificial tears and lubricating eye drops, available over the counter. Adding moisture to the eyes, these products offer temporary relief and comfort whenever needed.

    In severe cases, prescription atropine eye drops may be recommended by an eye doctor to provide targeted relief for your dry eye condition.

  • Non-Invasive IPL Therapy for Chronic Dry Eyes

    Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment is another effective solution for chronic dry eyes. This non-invasive procedure uses precisely calibrated light pulses to target and reduce inflammation and eliminate demodex in and around the meibomian glands. These glands are responsible for producing the oil layer of the tear film. IPL therapy can improve the quantity and quality of tears, offering long-term relief. IPL therapy is an appealing option for those seeking a non-surgical approach.

  • Innovative Radiofrequency Treatment for Lasting Relief

    Radiofrequency treatment is another cutting-edge option for effectively managing dry eyes. This procedure involves the application of radiofrequency energy to the meibomian glands, stimulating oil production and enhancing tear stability.

    Radiofrequency treatment offers lasting relief from dry eye symptoms and can significantly improve overall eye comfort. Radiofrequency treatment is worth exploring for individuals seeking a non-invasive and sustainable solution.


Tailored Dry Eye Treatments

Personalized plans are vital due to varying dry eye symptoms, and our specialists at Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. work closely with you to create an individualized treatment.

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Comprehensive Approach:

Your plan may involve a combination of treatments targeting the root causes of your symptoms, ensuring effectiveness.

Expert Assessment:

Our optometrists assess your condition and consider your lifestyle for tailored recommendations.

Optimizing Comfort

We aim to provide lasting relief and clarity in your vision by customizing your dry eye treatment plan for comfort and eye health.

Patient Reviews
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172 Reviews
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- Mar. 28, 2025
I've been coming to Metropolitan Optical for many, many years and always received excellent service ... and advice. Dr. Ayalu is terrific!
- Mar. 24, 2025
Metropolitan Optical has been handling my eye care needs for almost 20 years. The best eye specialis... ts in the Washington, DC , Maryland and Virginia area. Please make appointment and you will understand why. Very prompt, courteous and knowledgeable staff.
- Mar. 08, 2025
Highly recommend Metropolitan Optical for anyone looking for an eye-doctor or new frames! It is evid... ent how Dr. Ayalew cares for her patients -- always making sure to squeeze us in because she prioritizes our health. She takes time to explain what's going on and makes sure to develop a care plan that is realistic. The rest of the team are just awesome -- from spending time to make sure that your frames fit and look perfect to making sure that you are scheduled for your next appoint
- Feb. 27, 2025
Have been coming here for over 3 years and it’s great! Wonderful and knowledgeable staff.
- Jan. 14, 2025
Dr Salsa Ayalew is great. She is very patient and clearly communicates what is going on during the ... exam and the appropriate next steps. Dee is also great with helping to select great frames and is responsive to style and pricing concerns.
- Jan. 03, 2025
High professionalism and courtesy.
- Oct. 20, 2024
Excellent care from Dr Saba and excellent customer service
- Oct. 18, 2024
Great place for my eye care! Very satisfied.
- Sep. 14, 2024
Top Tier service is always received at every level when I visit Metropolitan Optical!
- Sep. 13, 2024
Doctor and every staff are very friendly and good customers service, also they explain every step un... til you get discharge. Excellent
- Sep. 13, 2024
Dr. Ayalew and every staff member give the highest quality customer service.
- Aug. 30, 2024
Great professional optical services. I’ve purchased prescription glasses twice with Metropolitan ... in last year. Customer service is excellent. High quality and reasonably priced frames. Paul at the Penn Ave shop most recently helped me with selecting non-slip prescription glasses for working out. Very happy with them and the Lunor glasses purchased in 2023.
- Nov. 07, 2023
Dr. Ayalew is an exceptional eye doctor who goes above and beyond for her patients. I recently had a... n eye emergency on a Sunday night and emailed her, she replied st 5 am instructing me to come in first thing in the morning. I know she squeezed me in because I was unable to schedule the appointment online. Upon arriving I was literally greeted at the door and taken straight to the exam room. (I’m sure this isn’t always the case so I don’t want to build any unrealistic expectations, same goes for emailing on a Sunday night, but this was my experience today so I’m just sharing factual events) Dr. Ayalew thoroughly examined my eyes, patiently explaining the condition and answering all my questions. Her expertise and genuine concern for my well-being are always evident at my appointments. My insurance switched a few years ago and metropolitan optical doesn’t take my new insurance but Dr Ayalew is so good I go to her anyway and pay out of pocket, money speaks louder than words — this is greatest endorsement I could give any doctor. Over the past 25 years living in DC, I've consulted with several optometrists. Without a doubt, Dr. Ayalew stands out as the best in my opinion. Her combination of expertise, compassion, and patient-centric approach is unmatched. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking exceptional eye care
- Sep. 26, 2023
Love this place! Everyone is professional and has their masks on. They are able to repair my glasses... within 10 minutes. Will recommend this place to anyone in DC area.
- Sep. 23, 2023
I simply do not understand the negative comments about the staff. I will chalk it up to a bad day. H... ave been seeing Dr. Ayalew for nearly two decades. She is great and her staff is friendly and efficient.
- Sep. 20, 2023
Dr. Ayalew was great! Personable, professional, knowledgeable and very thorough.
- Sep. 18, 2023
Big fan of Dr. Ayalew. She is highly knowledgeable, takes the time to listen to my questions and con... cerns, and is always warm and friendly. Staff at the practice are also terrific.
- Jun. 26, 2023
I came to the office 15 minutes early and immediately taken care of. The staff was friendly and eff... icient. Once, I met with the doctor, she provided all relevant info and answered my questions. Very satisfied.
- Apr. 28, 2023
As a tourist from another country I stopped in this shop to have my daugther’s glasses fixed (she ... had lost a nose pad). They were super nice and fixed the issue on the spot. Thanks!
- Apr. 24, 2023
Dr. Ayalew and her entire staff are fantastic. I switched to her practice a few years ago when my p... revious doctor retired and have been incredibly happy ever since. She is thorough, thoughtful and very knowledgeable. I have an eye condition that requires regular monitoring and correction and she has helped me understand the challenges, solutions and what to expect as I age. Everyone in the office is knowledgeable, helpful and thorough too. In fact, I raved about how great my first experience was so much that my wife started going to her too. Now she won't go anywhere else either. Top notch!

View All 172 Reviews

Dry Eyes in Washington

Our optometry practice in Washington

Photograph of Saba  Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 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
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • VSP
  • EyeMed

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Schedule Your Dry Eye Consultation with Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave.

Managing dry eyes requires a multifaceted approach that combines reactive treatments with preventive measures. Whether you choose contact lenses, soothing eye drops, IPL treatment, radiofrequency treatment, or a combination of these strategies , the ultimate goal is to find relief from dry eye discomfort and maintain optimal eye health.

Would you benefit from dry eye management advice and treatment this season? Call us at Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. to book an appointment today!

(202) 659-6555