Being the Windy City, Chicago’s environment can wreak havoc on patients with dry eye syndrome. At Eye Care Ltd, we commonly evaluate and treat patients with dry eye symptoms such as eye redness, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, and intermittent blurred vision. Patients are sometimes unable to enjoy places like parks or beaches due to tearing and irritation cause by wind or sensitivity to light. Factors such as age, medications, medical conditions and prior surgery can influence dry eye symptoms.
- Inadequate tear production
- Poor tear quality in which tears evaporate too quickly
- Inflammation of the eyelids and clogged oil glands
Fortunately, our eye physicians have multiple treatments to help patients find the relief and comfort that can allow them to resume and enjoy their daily experiences.
- Artificial tears are a lubricant eye drop that helps coat the eye and may provide immediate relief for dry eye symptoms. Numerous types of artificial tears are available including preservative free and viscoadaptive tears.
- Punctal plugs block the tear drain in the eyelid to maintain more natural tears on the eye. This form of treatment works best for patients with low tear production
- Eyelid scrubs and cleansers work to clear any debris or bacterial overgrowth on the eyelids. Patients that awake with eyelid debris in the morning are good candidates for this treatment.
- Cyclosporine or Restasis is the only medicated tear drop available to help treat dry eye by reducing overall ocular surface inflammation. Please take a look at our Restasis Facts Sheet.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce eye irritation. Supplements such as fish oil and flax seed oil have shown to be effective at providing enough the omega-3s your oil glands need to make the healthy oil that coats your tear film to reduce evaporation and inflammation.
Dry eye syndrome can be diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Your eye physician will evaluate the surface of your eye and may even utilize a tear production test to quantify the amount of tears being made. Treatment can usually begin shortly with most symptoms resolving over a few weeks. Eye Care Ltd now offers many different dry eye products that have shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms.
If you or someone you know would like more information about dry eye syndrome. Please call either location in Skokie 847-677-1631 or Highland Park 847-433-5888. We also service Chicago, Deerfield, Wilmette, Des Plaines, Park Ridge and Northbrook, Illinois.