woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Oak Lawn

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(708) 229-2200

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 Advanced Eye Care Professionals 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 Oak Lawn 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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216 Reviews
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- Nov. 15, 2024
Always a pleasant experience. Dr. Hogan always provide my son and I with exceptional service and car... e. She is truly one of a kind!
- Oct. 23, 2024
Great to deal with, easy to schedule appointments, and they always take care of everything with insu... rance. Dr. Polanek is awesome. After several failed eyeglass prescriptions over the years, she properly fitted me with RGP lenses and it has been life changing.
- Oct. 19, 2024
Strongly recommend! Great with kids and they listen. My youngest had to start with glasses in Kinder... garten. I am now going here myself after going to many other places that said I did not need glasses.
- Oct. 08, 2024
I have been going to Advanced Eye Care for many years and I absolutely love them! Everyone is knowle... dgeable, helpful and friendly. I highly recommend them.
- Sep. 23, 2024
The staff is friendly and helpful. Dr Hogan is amazing
- Sep. 22, 2024
Advanced eye care professionals alway exceed expectations and are very knowledgeable. They really c... are about their patients.
- Sep. 20, 2024
Staff explained everything and made it comfortable for my daughter and myself to get our eye exams.
- Sep. 17, 2024
Dr. O has been doing my exams for years, always fantastic!! The staff were amazing as well.
- Sep. 09, 2024
I SEE DR. HOGAN EVERY YEAR FOR ANNUAL EYE EXAMS. SHE IS A WONDERFUL DOCTOR AND I FEEL CONFIDENT IN ... HER SKILLS. SHE IS THOROUGH AND VERY CARING.
- Jun. 12, 2024
Love the personal attention, no rushing and great customer service.
- Jun. 11, 2024
Dr. Opferman was fantastic, as always!
- May. 26, 2024
Highly recommend Dr. Tiffany Polanek and the whole staff at Advanced Eye Care. The whole process of ... making an appointment to the communication, to the actual appointment itself is a well oiled machine.
- May. 12, 2024
This place is fantastic. I loved everyone I saw that day. I just wish they had Saturday hours. I... 'm a school teacher with an evening job as well. The lack of Saturday hours made picking up my item difficult. I had to take time off work to go pick up my glasses. That was the only issue. My original appointment was during spring break but the pick up time was a few weeks later.
- May. 09, 2024
Advanced Eye Care is a great place. I wouldn't go anywhere else. Dr. Hogan is kind and very profess... ional. Her staff is great. They called me when an earlier appointment opened up just like they said they would. I would highly recommend!
- May. 09, 2024
AEP is a great place to have your peepers checked and Dr. Polanek is a top notch doctor!!
- Apr. 11, 2024
No wait, great doc and warm staff. Great experience.
- Mar. 29, 2024
I have been coming here for three years and I absolutely love the doctors and staff. Everyone is ama... zing.
- Mar. 04, 2024
Dr Hogan and her staff are friendly, professional and highly experienced. I would not trust anyone ... else to provide care to my daughters.
- Feb. 27, 2024
Dr. Polanek is the best. Very friendly and great bedside manner. Highly recommend her if you are loo... king for an eye doctor.
- Feb. 27, 2024
I had very red eyes and I did not know what it was took the doctor 15 minutes to find out I have pin... k eye. Gave me medicine and said I am good to go. They were fast and not messing around 5 stars

View All 216 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Oak Lawn

Our optometry practice in Oak Lawn

Photograph of Casey  Hogan
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday By Appointment Only
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Metlife

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(708) 229-2200