Located near Market District by Giant Eagle Supermarket at the corner of Sawmill Parkway and Powell Road
If your eyes often feel dry, itchy, or irritated, you might be tempted to brush it off. But dryness rarely disappears on its own. According to Dr. Kelbley, “There are many causes—from health conditions and medications to environmental factors—and the sooner we pinpoint the reason, the sooner you’ll find relief.”
If you are experiencing ongoing dry eye symptoms, a dry eye exam can help identify the cause and determine the best dry eye treatment.
Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?
Both professionals can treat dry eye, but it’s easiest to start with your optometrist. They can diagnose and manage most cases and only refer to an ophthalmologist if more advanced care is needed.
An optometrist can help diagnose dry eye disease and recommend personalized dry eye management options.
Finding a Dry Eye Specialist
Many patients don’t realize their local optometrist’s office offers advanced treatments. “At our clinic, we have technologies other offices may not,” says Dr. Kelbley. “So patients can come directly to us without extra referrals.”
Do I Need a Referral?
If you’re booking at our office, you don’t need one. Dry eye evaluations typically fall under medical insurance, so you can be seen even without vision coverage. You can schedule a dry eye evaluation without a referral, and dry eye visits may be covered by medical insurance.
What to Mention When Booking
When calling, describe your symptoms such as burning, redness, irritation, watering, or fluctuating vision—so the team can book you for a dry eye evaluation in Powell instead of a standard vision exam. Sharing common dry eye symptoms helps ensure you are scheduled for the correct dry eye appointment and testing.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Before your visit, jot down:
- How long symptoms have lasted
- When and how they occur
- Any medications, health changes, or environmental triggers
- Remedies you’ve already tried
This information helps your eye doctor create a targeted dry eye treatment plan based on your symptoms and lifestyle.
Contact Lenses Before Your Exam
Dr. Kelbley recommends comfort first: “You don’t have to stop wearing them entirely. Once you remove your lenses at the visit, we’ll see what’s really happening on the surface of your eyes.”
In many cases, dry eye can be treated without giving up contacts completely, and your doctor may recommend solutions such as updated lens options, improved lens care routines, or targeted dry eye treatments to help you stay more comfortable.