woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Elgin

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(847) 888-1555

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.

lady with dry eyes

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

man with dry eye sneeze

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 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
Patient Reviews
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330 Reviews
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- Sep. 27, 2024
The staffs and doctors are kind and friendly to the children. Also, their consideration and understa... nding towards me, who is my poor English, was wonderful.
- Sep. 21, 2024
Our entire family uses Elgin Family Eyecare, including our daughter (since she was four!) They're al... l so great!
- Sep. 11, 2024
Always great service, kind staff, and the best doctors anywhere.
- Sep. 09, 2024
Love our new optometrist and staff very friendly and professional. My husband and I saw Dr. O’Neil... l and loved that he took the time to ask if we had any plans for the day and on top was very profesional and answer all of our questions. Our Daughter saw Dr. Kennedy and although he wasn’t able to perform an extended visit due to our daughter needs he was extraordinary professional. Also Gilbert was very patient with teaching her with eye contact lenses. Thank you!
- Aug. 16, 2024
Easy to make an appointment, friendly service and affordable.
- Aug. 05, 2024
The staff was excellent with my young son. Staff was caring and kind. It was very busy that Sarurday... but we never felt rushed or not taken care of. Appointment was efficient, prompt and Dr. O'Neil was attentive and professional.
- Aug. 02, 2024
My son can be a bit wild since he is 5 but the staff was very kind and patient with him
- Jul. 24, 2024
Very detail orientated--highly recommend Elgin Eye Care!!
- Jul. 10, 2024
The service was efficient and delightful. My son and I thoroughly adored Dr. Kennedy. He kept us smi... ling and laughing through both of our exams.
- Jul. 08, 2024
Wow what a great place! Stellar service with all my questions answered. Plus I CAN SEE NOW!! Yippee!... !
- Jun. 27, 2024
Dr Nakajima is incredibly informative and the other staff members I encountered were very friendly a... nd approachable.
- Jun. 21, 2024
I trust Dr. Brauer and the rest of the staff and I feel confident I am getting the best care possibl... e.
- May. 05, 2024
I was looking for a new pair of glasses at Elgin Family Eye Care. Lexi is a wonderful help! She list... ened to my preferences for frames and helped me to discover several possibilities. (It would have taken me hours to work through the many styles, shapes and frame colors.). She answered my questions and made this experience very pleasant! If you need help picking out new frames, I recommend Lexi!!
- Apr. 28, 2024
They were great
- Apr. 10, 2024
Very friendly staff. Huge selection of glasses to choose from
- Mar. 23, 2024
This is a great eye care place from to start to finish.
- Mar. 23, 2024
Awesome staff--friendly and helpful. Dr. Kennedy is awesome and explained all procedures and results... well. Great selection of eye glasses. They processed everything through with my insurance so it was extremely easy for me.
- Mar. 13, 2024
Great doctors and office staff. Professional and friendly. The providers are very thorough and take ... the time to answer questions, show images and explain any problems or concerns and refer out to other specialist when appropriate!!
- Feb. 29, 2024
Proper care and support. Did not try and sell me things which were unnecessary. They fitted my cur... rent expensive frames with the new lenses with a great final product.
- Feb. 17, 2024
I called at 9:30 am., and there was an opening for an eye exam at 10:30 am. the same day! Both of th... e doctors that I have had appointments with over the past 6 years, have been knowledgeable and thorough. Dr. Brauer discovered I had Narrow Angle Glaucoma, and referred me to an Opthomologist, who performed a Laser Iridotomy.👁

View All 330 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Elgin

Our optometry practice in Elgin

Photograph of Michael  Kennedy
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

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(847) 888-1555