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Are your eyes DRY???

This is my second decade practicing as an optometrist, and the number of patients I see suffering from dry eye seems to be only increasing. Part of it is due to the environment (air conditioning, poor air quality), and another part is the way we use our eyes. Evaporative dry eye is the most common type, meaning the tears evaporate rapidly, leaving our eyes burning, stinging, or with a foreign body sensation... you name it!

Evaporative dry eye comes from insufficient production of oil from tiny tubes located in our eyelids called Meibomian glands. The Meibomian glands on our lower lid are the most important, as they release tiny oil particles from the openings in these tubes, and during the blink, the top lid spreads the oil across the eye, replenishing the oily part of the tear. The oil in the tears prevents the tears from evaporating, bringing protective molecules and oxygen to the tears that help fight bacteria and viruses like pink eye.

Unfortunately, as our blink rate decreases during computer work or driving, and our skin ages, losing its collagen, these little tubes get clogged with oil. The oil hardens and clogs them up. After an extended period of being clogged, the Meibomian glands atrophy, causing permanent chronic dry eye!

During this time, patients notice their eyes burning, excessively tearing, or experiencing a sensation as if something is in their eyes. This sensation comes from tears evaporating too quickly, therefore interfering with the normal consistency of the tears, and our body trying to make up for it by producing an extra “watery” part of the tear, which is unable to properly lubricate and protect the eye.

So what is the solution, you ask?!

Fortunately, there is a solution, and it works best when initiated early in the disease process.

Maintaining proper lid hygiene and function is the main focus to avoid this uncomfortable condition. I find that hot compresses using a microwavable mask, followed by eyelid wipes to remove excess debris and finally disinfection with a hypochlorous solution can be helpful in maintaining lid health. Diet supplementation with Omega-3 oil is helpful too.

Forma I and IPL have been pioneering in the treatment of dry eye as this is a great way to save those Meibomian glands from destruction by using radiofrequency to bulk heat the lids, stimulating collagen production and then using IPL (intense pulsed light) when possible to reduce inflammation. This procedure is a great tool in our toolbox as it gets to the root of the dry eye problem while also producing a favorable side effect of tightening the skin around the eye.

Ask us about which treatment is best for you at your next check-up!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Moyshelis

Dr. Marina Kotlyar is a top-rated optometrist providing skilled, compassionate care for patients in Brooklyn, NY, and throughout the New York City metro region. At Grand Vision Center, she offers all patients the most advanced eye care services, including routine comprehensive eye exams to help detect vision problems at their earliest stages so they can be corrected for optimal outcomes. As an experienced eye care provider, she offers evaluation and management for chronic eye diseases and conditions, including dry eye, glaucoma, anterior segment disease, as well as pre-op evaluation and post-op cataract management.  Services also include diagnosis and evaluation of retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.

Located on Kings Highway, the office features state-of-the-art equipment, enabling Dr. Kotlyar to offer each patient the individualized care he or she needs to have the safest, most effective and most appropriate care for optimal visual outcomes. The practice also provides DMV vision exams and a complete selection of contact lenses and comfortable, fashionable eyewear to make getting the best eye care solutions as convenient and simple as possible.

After earning her OD degree at the New England College of Optometry where she focused on the management and treatment of all types of ocular diseases as well as geriatric eye care, Dr. Kotlyar completed an externship at the Bascom Palmer Institute in Miami, Florida, one of the nation's leading eye institutes.

At Grand Vision Center, Dr. Kotlyar welcomes new patients, providing customized, compassionate care to help patients enjoy better visual health. The practice accepts most major medical insurance plans, and Dr. Kotlyar speaks both English and Russian.

A Pennsylvania native, Dr. Frontino attended Bryn Mawr college for undergrad and received her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee.

She is a proud military spouse and has worked in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Viriginia since graduating in 2018. She is very excited to settle down in Maryland and looks forward to meeting the patients of Maryland Eye Care Center.

She loves practicing comprehensive optometry, and enjoys seeing her patients and their families year after year.

In her spare time, Dr Frontino enjoys exploring the DC area with her husband and young daughter, reading, thrifting and painting.

Eleonora Tamayeva, OD, is an experienced and attentive optometrist who provides high-quality care to the residents of Great Neck, New York, and its surrounding communities at Great Neck Opticians.

Dr. Tamayeva earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York’s College of Optometry in New York City, where she excelled in her program and graduated with honors. She went on to complete a specialty rotation in pediatric eye care at NYC Health + Hospitals’ Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she deepened her knowledge of optometric care in younger patients, from toddlers to teens.

In her practice, Dr. Tamayeva is adept at preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of ocular pathologies, such as pink eye, glaucoma, blepharitis, cataracts, and dry eyes, as well as fitting patients with glasses and contact lenses to treat near- and farsightedness, astigmatism, and computer eye strain.

Dr. Tamayeva is fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish, and looks forward to providing her patients with dedicated and excellent care.

Dr. Claudia Younany OD was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor in Biology from California State University, Northridge and continued to pursue her Doctorate of Optometry from Western University of Health Science’s College of Optometry, where she graduated with honors. Her clinical training was emphasized in specialty contact lenses and management of ocular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye syndrome. With the optometry field evolving, Dr. Younany is continuously learning about the newest techniques and technology to give her patients the best care. Being a lifelong resident of LA, she believes in the importance of establishing a relationship with patients and looks forward to providing the community with quality eye care.

When Dr. Younany isn’t seeing patients, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants and spending time with her family.

For almost 25 years, Dr. Eri Sugino has been providing Hawaii’s people with exceptional, compassionate care at the Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii.  Originally from Torrance, California, Dr. Sugino received her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.  She earned her doctorate at the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California.

Dr. Sugino’s extensive clinical experience includes work at the Vision Therapy Clinic and Contact Lens Clinic at the Optometric Center of Fullerton, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Los Angeles, and the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego, California.  Dr. Sugino was in private practice with the Eye Medical Group of Gardena, California prior to joining the staff of the Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii.  She has been a member of numerous optometric associations both in Hawaii and California, such as the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and the Omega Delta Optometric Fraternity.

Fluent in both Japanese and English, Dr. Sugino appears monthly on KZOO Radio (1210 AM) with Dr. Brandon Lee to educate the Japanese community on important topics related to general eye health and eye care.  The program airs on the second Monday of every month from 4:30-5:00 pm.

Dr. Sugino is happily married to Dr. Glenn Shigezawa, also an optometrist, and their son Bradley is a competitive golfer at the collegiate level at Claremont McKenna College.

Dr. Malia Kunioka was born and raised on Oahu, where she attended Mililani High School. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, Dr. Kunioka then earned her Doctorate of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California.

Dr. Kunioka’s clinical experience includes work at the Veterans Administration in Tucson, Arizona, the Indian Health Service in Crownpoint, New Mexico, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii at both MCBH and Pearl Harbor, and the University Eye Center at Ketchum Health. She has been a member of numerous optometric associations in both Hawaii and California, such as Omega Delta Optometric Fraternity and the Hawaii Optometric Association.

Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hanging out at the beach, and baking. As a recent grad, Dr. Kunioka is excited to be back home to serve the community she grew up in.

Nicole M. Fuerst, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Fuerst Eye Center, in Glendale, California. Dr. Fuerst takes a patient-centered approach to care, treating each patient like a member of the family. She specializes in performing cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. 

Dr. Fuerst completed medical school at the prestigious Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She then completed her ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received multiple teaching awards. She continued her training at the renowned Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina. While at the Duke Eye Center, Dr. Fuerst completed a two-year clinical and research fellowship in cornea and external disease, where she learned and performed the latest techniques in corneal, cataract, and refractive surgery.

Committed to her profession, Dr. Fuerst has published many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She’s also been awarded for her research presentations on a variety of topics in the field of ophthalmology.

She has been voted to Southern California Super Doctors Rising Stars 2022-2025 and Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2023-2025. Known for her extensive skill and expertise, Dr. Fuerst receives many referrals from other eye doctors for routine and specialty eye procedures. 

Dr. Parisa Jalalat, OD, is a board-certified optometrist practicing in Los Angeles, California. She provides patient-centered eye care that focuses on each individual’s visual needs, eye health, and daily activities. Dr. Jalalat emphasizes patient education and works with patients to help them understand their eye health and available treatment options.

Dr. Jalalat performs comprehensive eye examinations, including glasses and contact lens evaluations and specialty contact lens fittings. She also provides diabetic eye exams, evaluates and manages ocular conditions such as glaucoma and eye infections, and participates in the co-management of surgical procedures including LASIK and cataract surgery. She provides evaluation and management of ocular surface conditions, including dry eye syndrome.

Dr. Jalalat has participated in FDA-regulated clinical research related to dry eye and Demodex blepharitis treatments. She has co-authored a peer-reviewed journal publication, presented research at professional conferences, and participated in educational speaking engagements related to eye care.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Dr. Jalalat earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in South Florida.

Dr. Jalalat participates in community outreach and has provided volunteer eye care services internationally, including work in underserved communities in the Dominican Republic. She has also contributed educational insights regarding eye health and cosmetic safety in media publications including Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, POPSUGAR, and Well+Good.

Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Jalalat enjoys yoga, traveling, exploring local restaurants, road trips along the Pacific Coast Highway, hiking, biking, roller skating, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog. She speaks English, conversational Farsi (Persian), and conversational clinical Spanish.

David J. Fuerst, MD is an experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract, corneal, and refractive surgery at his practice, Fuerst Eye Center, in Glendale, California. He is one of few refractive surgeons specializing in surgery of the cornea — the part of the eye treated by LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and most other types of refractive surgery. 

Because of his training, experience, and outstanding results, Dr. Fuerst receives many referrals from other eye care specialists for both routine and complex eye surgery, as well as referrals from his satisfied patients.

After completing his ophthalmology residency at the prestigious University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, Dr. Fuerst continued his training at the University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, completing his fellowship in cornea and external disease. 

Dedicated to his profession, Dr. Fuerst is a recognized mentor and educator. He served as the residency program director at White Memorial Medical Center and as an on-staff teacher at the University of Southern California (USC), which are both located in Los Angeles.

Dr. Fuerst provides compassionate care and treats each patient like a member of his family.

Dr Jessica Shoumer OD is a glaucoma-certified therapeutic optometrist.    She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with Cum Laude honors with a degree in Psychobiology. She then attended the Southern California College of Optometry where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Dr Shoumer has over 15 years of experience in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases, dry eyes, LASIK consultations and contact lenses. She was born and raised in Southern California. She speaks English, Farsi, and Optometric Spanish.  

On her time off, Dr Shoumer enjoys travelling and spending time with her husband and three boys.  

With three decades of experience in eye care, Peter L. Gomez, O.D. is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain their best possible vision through compassionate, personalized care. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1996 after completing his undergraduate studies at California State University, Fullerton. 

Dr. Gomez provides comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages, emphasizing prevention, early detection, and individualized treatment. He believes in building lasting relationships with his patients by taking the time to listen to their concerns, explain their eye health, and develop care plans tailored to their unique needs. 

His clinical interests include diabetic eye care, pre- and post-operative care for cataract and LASIK surgery, and fitting specialty and difficult-to-fit contact lenses. Dr. Gomez is committed to staying at the forefront of advancements in optometry and incorporating the latest technology and evidence-based care into his practice. 

Dr. Gomez currently provides patient care at Rosenberg Eye Center and Advanced Vision Care. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is proud to serve a diverse community and is dedicated to ensuring every patient feels comfortable, informed, and confident in their eye care. 

Known for his approachable manner and attention to detail, Dr. Gomez considers it a privilege to care for generations of families and is committed to helping each patient enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision.

Dr. Felicia Donnolo is an Optometrist who received her degree from the State University of New York College of Optometry in Manhattan. She has been working in the optical field for almost thirty years providing care for the Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights community that she grew up in. Dr. Felicia Donnolo attended St. Ephrem’s, then Notre Dame Academy of Staten Island, New York University, and Brooklyn College on academic scholarships and graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College. Dr. Donnolo currently works with her husband, Marc Shuff, a licenced Optician with degrees from Brooklyn College and New York City College of Technology.

Dr. Felicia Donnolo specializes in the fitting of soft, gas permeable, and bifocal contact lenses for patients with presbyopia, keratoconus, astigmatism and dry eye.

Dr. Brian Herschorn is a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship-training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. He received both his undergraduate and his medical degrees from McGill University in Montreal. Following postgraduate medical training at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre of the University of Toronto, Dr. Brian Herschorn completed his ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute of the University of Pennsylvania.

Fellowship training was completed at the Manhattan Eye Ear & Throat Hospital, here in New York City. Dr. Herschorn became a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1983 and has practiced ophthalmology in New York City since that time. Dr. Herschorn has almost 30 years of extensive experience on the forefront of cataract surgery and almost 10 years of experience providing LASIK and refractive surgery to the community. His unique skills in the fields of oculoplastic, orbital, lacrimal, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery have been an asset to Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge since 1985, when he began his affiliation.

Dr. Brian Herschorn has published a number of scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the British Journal of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Herschorn has held teaching posts at the Manhattan Eye Ear & Throat Hospital and, then, at the Mount Sinai Medical Center where he is affiliated. He is also on staff at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of the Beth Israel Medical Center and through the Manhattan Eye Ear & Throat Hospital at the Lenox Hill Hospital.

Lars Carlson, OD, co-founded Gold Canyon Eye Center in 2008 with his partner, Trina Cheng, OD. He moved to Arizona from Illinois in 2005 to escape the cold and build his optometry practice, and he’s been in Gold Canyon ever since.

Dr. Carlson graduated with honors from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to study at the Michigan College of Optometry, also in Big Rapids, where he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree, again graduating with honors.

Experienced in providing comprehensive eye care, including eye exams, diagnosing eye disease, and fitting contact lenses and prescribing glasses. Dr. Carlson has a particular passion for specialty contact lenses that can treat complex eye conditions. He's also a fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society and is one of a small group of doctors in the state of Arizona to have completed the fellowship. 

In his spare time, Dr. Carlson likes to read, hike, and walk his two dogs with his wife, Kacie.

Trina Cheng, OD, is a highly-skilled pediatric optometrist who treats patients at Gold Canyon Eye Center in Gold Canyon, Arizona. She founded the practice in 2008 along with her partner, Lars Carlson, OD.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Cheng earned her optometry degree at the Southern California College of Optometry (now known as the Marshall B. Ketchum University), graduating with honors. She then went on to complete a one-year residency program in vision therapy and pediatric optometry.

Dr. Cheng puts her pediatric training to use at Gold Canyon Eye Center by offering InfantSEE® exams, a public health program that provides free and comprehensive infant eye assessments to infants between 6-12 months of age.

Originally a California native, Dr. Cheng is thrilled to call Arizona home. When she’s not working with patients, she likes to read, do sudoku puzzles, and explore Arizona with her husband and two children.

Nina Saa, OD, is a compassionate and highly skilled optometrist providing comprehensive eye care at Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care in Hamilton Heights, New York. A Bronx native, Dr. Saa offers everything from routine vision exams and contact lens fittings to urgent eye care and treatment for chronic eye conditions.

Dr. Saa completed her undergraduate studies at Pace University before earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She also conducted vision screening research at the SUNY College of Optometry, building a strong foundation in diagnosing and managing a wide range of eye conditions.

With experience treating patients of all ages—from children to seniors—Dr. Saa specializes in personalized vision therapy, pre-and post-operative care, and advanced screening for eye diseases. She’s also passionate about giving back and has volunteered with international medical missions to provide free eye care to underserved communities.

Dr. Saa is fluent in both English and Spanish, helping patients feel comfortable and understood. Known for her gentle approach and dedication to patient wellness, she is committed to delivering high-quality, accessible eye care for families across New York City.

Soha Rafi O.D. was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She received her Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). While at ICO, she traveled with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity on a medical mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico to help serve different villages within Oaxaca with eye care.

Dr. Rafi has a strong passion for optometry and providing comprehensive eye care. This led her to pursue a postdoctoral residency in Primary Eye Care with an emphasis on anterior segment disease and specialty contact lenses at Henry Ford OptimEyes in West Bloomfield, MI. She has a particular interest in keratoconus and has found a drive and passion for fitting scleral and rigid permeable contact lenses.

Dr. Rafi is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association. In her spare time, Dr. Rafi likes to spend her with her family and friends, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.