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Dry Eye Treatment in Elgin

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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Tired of your eyes constantly watering?

Want to find a solution for your red, dry, itchy eyes?

Dry eye disease can seriously harm your quality of life. It can cause severe irritation and even infection in severe cases.

Symptoms of dry eye disease include:

  • Red, dry eyes
  • Itchiness in and around the eye
  • A gritty-feeling in the eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Excessive watering of the eyes

Visit Elgin Family EyeCare for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

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Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

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Dry eye disease is an increasingly common eye condition that can happen either because the eye is not producing enough tears, or because tears are evaporating too quickly, leaving the eyes without enough moisture to function comfortably.

This can happen for several reasons including allergies, side effects from medications, hormonal changes, and illness.

Depending on the cause and exact symptoms of your dry eyes, our Elgin eye doctors will be able to prescribe treatments and medications aimed at increasing the amount of tears your eye produces and/or slowing the evaporation of tears to better hydrate your eyes.


What Are the Main Causes of Dry Eye?

  • Aging

    Dry eye disease tends to affect people over the age of 50. This is because tear production slows as we age. As the lacrimal glands produce fewer tears, dry eye develops.

  • Hormonal changes

    It's not uncommon for some women to experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control pills. That's because hormone imbalances can reduce tear production.

  • Autoimmune disease

    Certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause white blood cells to attack your tear glands, thus reducing tear production. Other diseases like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes can also cause poor or insufficient tear production.

  • Medications

    Certain medications can reduce mucus production (one of the 3 tear components) thus contributing to chronic dry eye.

    They include antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.

Note that this is just a handful of causes. There are many other factors that can contribute to dry eye, including pollution and dry air, allergies, poor tear quality, dehydration, contact lens wear, and more.


Dry Eyes Treatment in Elgin

Our optometry practice in Elgin

Photograph of Toshio Nakajima
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross
Patient Reviews
4.6
230 Reviews
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- Sep. 28, 2023
It's a nice place with kind, knowledgeable and professional staff
- Sep. 25, 2023
Great
- Sep. 06, 2023
Dr Kennedy was friendly, professional and honest.
- Aug. 16, 2023
Great Doctors and friendly staff.
- Jun. 11, 2023
Dr. Kennedy is very thorough and takes pride in the care he gives you. As long as I live in this are... a, Dr . Kennedy will always be my eye doctor.
- May. 10, 2023
I needed a last minute appointment and found that this office was available on a Saturday on zoc doc... . Great service and nice staff.
- May. 01, 2023
I have been a patient of Elgin Family Eye Care for more than 20 years. The doctors consistently pro... vide very thorough examinations of my eyes. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable.
- Apr. 22, 2023
I love this place, it’s big and pretty in the inside and the staff is great!
- Mar. 30, 2023
I recently had an urgent situation and needed to see Dr. Kennedy. The staff and Dr. Kennedy were pro... fessional, knowledgeable, accommodating, and thorough throughout my appointment. Being a long-time patient for over 25 years, and seeing him annually, I completely trust Dr. Kennedy with my eye health and appreciate the wonderful staff. Eyewear selection is always current and plentiful, adjustments and fit are excellent, and I know I can come in for additional adjustments as needed, and I have. I enthusiastically recommend Elgin Family EyeCare and Dr. Kennedy!
- Mar. 28, 2023
Great experience. Wonderful staff and Dr. Kennedy listens and provides wonderful eyecare.
- Mar. 13, 2023
Very professional, friendly, and prompt service!
- Feb. 22, 2023
First time here, and the staff was really nice. Dr Tahir is soo caring and sweet.
- Feb. 19, 2023
Great eye care from Dr. Kennedy.
- Feb. 08, 2023
I've been going here for years and I always have a great experience. It look me a long time to find ... the right eye doctor and Dr. Brauer is great and has helped me a lot! Highly recommend!
- Jan. 05, 2023
Dr. Andrew Brauer creates a welcoming environment and listens to the concerns of his patients so he ... can understand how to help them achieve the best outcomes for their vision. So very appreciative and highly recommend.
- Nov. 26, 2022
Dr.Nakajima is amazing!!! We have been seeing him for over 20 years. He sincerely cares about his pa... tients. He is very knowledgeable. The entire front end staffs are well trained and friendly.
- Nov. 25, 2022
Great experience
- Nov. 12, 2022
Great staff especially Brenda!
- Nov. 11, 2022
Great service and Doctors.
- Oct. 25, 2022
Very thorough exam and professional staff. Very clean facility. Advanced eye exam equipment. Way be... tter than a franchise eye exam provider.

View All 230 Reviews

Dry Eyes FAQs

Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eye syndrome?

Yes, some people can still wear contact lenses with dry eye syndrome. However, depending on its severity, you may need to carefully select the adequate contact lens for optimal clarity and comfort.

Oftentimes, because contact lenses sit on the eye, it's difficult for vital oxygen to reach the eye. This can worsen dry eye symptoms, and increase the risk of scratching or otherwise damaging your eye. Make sure to ask your eye doctor which contact lenses are most adapted to your condition.

Can dry eye syndrome be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dry eye syndrome. There are, however, many treatment options that offer lasting dry eye relief.

Can dry eye syndrome cause blindness?

In rare extreme cases, dry eye syndrome can cause corneal ulcers. These ulcers can result in scarring on the eye, making it difficult for the cornea to focus light accurately. If left untreated, corneal ulcers and the associated scarring can result in blindness.

How can I prevent dry eye symptoms?

Below are a few tips that will help prevent dry eye symptoms:

  • Point fans, heaters, and air vents so that they don’t directly blow into your eyes
  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Take breaks during long tasks, especially those that require extended visual focus

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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