Dr. Mark Pyfer
Ophthalmology
Philadelphia, PA
28 years experience male
Locations
Northern Ophthalmic
Jenkintown, PA
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Independence Blue Cross Group
Medicare
Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Inc
UnitedHealthcare
Wills Eye Hospital
Philadelphia, PA
About
Bio
Board Certified Ophthalmologist / Eye Surgeon Specializing in Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology - LASIK Surgery
Doctor Q&A
49 Answers
41 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Crossed eyes: Strabismus is a general term for any deviation in the position of the eyes other than perfect alignment. When a person with strabismus looks at you, o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Cautiously yes: Scleritis is painful, and can have severe complications if not treated. Treatment often involves strong immune suppressant medications like Imuran (az... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Allergic reaction: This is most likely an allergic reaction to something in your environment. Pets, pollen, mold, soaps or cosmetics are the most common offenders. Avoid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: True rubeosis iridis is caused by chronic lack of blood flow inside the eye. You should see a retinal specialist and have a Fluorescein angiogram with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See your doctor: Chest pressure is a worrisome symptom of possible heart or lung problem, and you should see a doctor very soon. Eyestrain can be a symptom of difficul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
LASIK if stable: If your prescription has not changed much in last 1-2 years, then you should do well with lasik, as long as you have a through eye exam and computeriz... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Many possibilities: Pain is a very non-specific symptom in all areas, including the eyelid. Most common is inflammation or infection, such as a simple stye or blephariti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: You are thinking of radial keratotmy, or rk, an older technique pretty much abandoned since the advent of laser vision correction / lasik. Laser resh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Viral infection: Classic pink eye results from adenovirus or rhinovirus, and is self-limited. Should clear without treatment in 3 to 7 days. Antibiotic drops only hel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes if necessary: Sounds like trauma or congenital condition like microspherophakia or Marfan's syndrome as a cause of the dislocated lens (ecropia lentis). Ozurdex is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes: See an ophthalmologist for an exam. This could be many different conditions. If suspicious or causing discomfort they most likely can be removed in th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Unknown: This herbal supplement is obtained from a plant in the tomato family. It contains withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No worries: Cataract surgery at age 15 is very unusual. This is often due to trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, or hereditary factors. As long as you ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Likely dental proble: With impacted wisdom teeth in the upper jaw you may have pain and swelling of the cheek that radiates to your eye area on the same side. See your dent... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Likely allergic: At your age puffy eyes are most often related to allergies. A clicking, squeaking, or bubbling sound when rubbing the lower eyelids or inner corners o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Likely dental proble: You may have a dental abscess or other infection in the jaw. See a dentist and an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes!: This sounds like a corneal ulcer. The white spot is a cluster of bacteria and white blood cells, like pus in a skin infection. It is in the clear co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Likely corneal ulcer: This is a potentially serious infection of the cornea, the clear front covering of the eye. Much more common in contact lens wearers. Take your contac... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See ocular oncology: A retinal detachment may be a sign of recurrent retinoblastoma, or a complication of prior treatment. It is important to see an ocular oncologist, pre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: A soft contact lens can roll up and go under the eyelid, but cannot get lost behind the eye. You should see your eye doctor to remove it if your eye ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See your doctor: You need to see your doctor very soon. These could be symptoms of several illnesses that can only be determined by a thorough examination and lab tes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Neither: Certain oils or petroleum ointment applied to base of lashes will smother the microscopic mites called demodex which live in the hair follicles. Over... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: You may feel eyestrain and have dry eyes, but stress alone does not raise your eye pressure. It may raise your blood pressure though. Try to reduce yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: Follow your eye surgeon's recommendations. Often maintaining a certain position, such as face down, or sleeping on the right side, is important to kee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Fungal infection: This is likely a fungal infection called onychomycosis. Have it checked by your doctor. Medication can help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
May trigger attack: See an ophthalmologist for an exam and gonioscopy to determine your risk for narrow angle glaucoma. If you have already been treated with a laser per... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Allergy: Cromal is chromolyn sodium, a medication used for allergy to block release of histamine from mast cells. It is relatively mild, so i suspect your itch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Allergy: Allergic conjunctivitis can cause surface irritation and mucus discharge leading to blurry vision and eyestrain. See an ophthalmologist for a full exa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Use Rx medication: This sounds like angular blepharitis, or eyelid dermatitis. You should see an ophthalmologist to check for infection, inflammation or other abnormalit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Good vision: In the great majority of cases (over 97%) this is a highly successful procedure. It is important to follow your surgeons directions carefully, and kee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: Iritis caused by herpes virus is an immune reaction to the virus (particles called antigens) and does not require active viral infection. It starts wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: Astigmatism results from asymmetric curvature of the cornea. Influenced by variety of factors, including size and shape of the eyeball, position of e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes, but often recur: Conservative treatment for this chronic, intermittent and frustrating condition involves lid hygiene and warm compresses. Scrub eyelid margins gently... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See ophthalmologist: Most common cause of eye pain after lasik is dry eyes. See your ophthalmologist, several treatment options are available. Your refraction indicates ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Blepharitis: This is most likely a common condition called blepharitis that often causes "stye" or chalazion formation - swollen bumps on the eyelid from blocked g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
It depends: It all depends on the health and thickness of your eyelid skin. Dry, thin or fair skin could develop wrinkles by the early to mid twenties. Moisturize... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Likely infection: This sounds most like a viral infection, but you should see your family doctor for a thorough exam and possibly blood tests. Also see an ophthalmologi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
In some cases yes: The most common cause of a raised optic disc is a benign condition called optic nerve head drusen. However, additional testing is needed to differenti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See your doctor: Bloating of the stomach for that long could be a more serious problem. See your doctor soon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Visual migraine: This is likely a visual migraine, which occurs without a headache in many cases. If it clears completely in 15-20 minutes, it is very unlikely to be a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
120/80 or less: At rest, your blood pressure should be about 120/80 or lower. If the top number (systolic pressure) is above 140, or the bottom number (diastolic pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes if necessary: Restasis is dilute cyclosprin, which suppresses white blood cells called t cells on the surface of your eye. This reduces chronic inflammation and pro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
No: Using your eyes will not injure them or "wear them out". If you need glasses or have to squint to see, you may experience eyestrain, or discomfort wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Yes: Xalacom is a combination medication that should be more effective than Lumigan alone. Another method is to add a second medication like timolol used i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Possibly: Consult a neurologist or a neuro ophthalmologist. At the very least you should have a visual field test. You want to make sure you dont have an injury... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 70-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Peripheral vision: Visual field testing is used to measure peripheral vision in diseases that affect the optic nerve like glaucoma. The number of degrees usually refers ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
See a specialist: Temporary effects from seizures are common. Hopefully your vision returned to normal. If not you may have had a stroke or other brain injury. Seizures... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
Perplexing: The problem here is not clear. You could have a concussion or an injury to the eye itself. It is best to start with a complete eye examination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Pyferanswered
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
High: As long as you both have normal function, without birth control the possibility for conception is high. See a fertility specialist if any ptoblems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
97
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Sep 23, 2013
Dr. Pyfer performed my LASIK surgery recently, and I am extremely pleased. It was done at the Wills Eye Hospital Surgery Center in Warminster, PA. His office staff and assistants are warm and helpful....Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Pyfer is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Pyfer is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your quick reply made me feel good! Thank u! I had the oph test, it was good just hoped it wasnt a stroke!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! It's eye trauma actually, was an accident. Thanks anyways, I will get it checked :)
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! it sems like pigment marks...on skin below eyelids...previously
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, PA
Graduated 1995MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Pennsylvania
Graduated 1987MD
Residency
Wills Eye Hospital
Completed 1999
Residency
ABINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Completed 1996
Awards
Top Ophthalmologist , Second Place, Pennsylvania - Summer
2013
Affiliations
American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow
American College of Surgeons, Fellow
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
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