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.

man using mobile phone


Why Choose Dry Eye Treatment?

contact on finger

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.

woman putting in eye drops

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
4.7
155 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- 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!
- Apr. 05, 2023
Always great service.
- Feb. 19, 2023
Ever since I met and started having my eye exams with Dr. Ayalew... well, I will never change who I ... "see". I now drive 2-1/2 hours+ from where I currently live to have my appointments. Top KNOWLEDGE, TRUST, CARE, and CUSTOMER SERVICE from her, and her entire staff! (PS. I don't give many reviews...)
- Feb. 09, 2023
Dr. Saba is the best!!
- Jan. 27, 2023
I had been experiencing significant changes to my eyesight that in truth I was dreading a visit to t... he optician which was why I had delayed for so long. Dr. Saba Ayalew however made the whole process feel less intimidating. With her and her team's care, examination and advice she was able to identify that my prescription had been too strong and a simple adjustment would be half the battle. She offered advise on eye care, and long term eye health which was very much appreciated. Normally, I make my own frame selections, but at Metropolitan, the advise of Emebet Ayalew, took the humming and hawing out of making a selection. She was quick to give me great options. I walked out with 2 pairs of new glasses on order, and appreciated their quick turnaround as well their exacting standards to make sure that the lens were produced to fit my face perfectly. Much gratitude for the proffesionalism and care. A definite recommend.
- Nov. 07, 2022
Really great customer service and the doctor is very skilled as well.
- Oct. 03, 2022
Dr. A is awesome. She takes time to listen to what I think is going on vision wise, and performs a ... thorough exam. I've seen Dr. A several years now and I trust her with my vision. The front staff is always top notch. I receive excellent recommendations on frames from them, and always feel like they are taking extra steps to ensure I am happy with their service.
- Sep. 19, 2022
Dr. Ayalew and her staff in all locations are wonderful! Been with her for years and she is always v... ery accurate and very thorough.
- Sep. 06, 2022
I should never have stopped going to Dr. Ayalew! First time back in 8 years or so and never leaving... until she retires lol Awesome doctor, just awesome! It feels so good to see properly again with her expertise! The staff in the front helping you with glasses are the best as well. Everyone is so friendly and actually nice. You don't feel like you're part of an assembly line just getting pushed out.

View All 155 Reviews

Dry Eyes in Washington

Our optometry practice in Washington

Photograph of Saba Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • VSP
  • EyeMed

man using mobile phone

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