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Dry Eye Treatment in Central Northwest

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 Memorial Eye Center - Oak Forest 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 Central Northwest 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 Central Northwest

Our optometry practice in Central Northwest

Photograph of Kim-Van Chau
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • VSP
  • Spectera
  • Metlife Vision
  • United Healthcare
Patient Reviews
4.6
122 Reviews
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- Mar. 30, 2023
Love these guys and will certainly be back. We will miss Dr. Kovacs! Good Luck and Blessings!
- Mar. 24, 2023
Best staff, ever.!!
- Feb. 21, 2023
Dr. Kim-Van Chau and the technician were wonderful with my young daughter. They didn’t rush and le... t her explain what was bothering her eyes. Roberto was so patient helping her choose frames, and helped her find a pair she really liked that fit her perfectly.
- Feb. 04, 2023
Customer service was exceptional. All staff makes you feel welcomed. Dr. Kovacs does a great job exp... laining what's going on and has great bed side manners.
- Feb. 03, 2023
Professional, helpful, and friendly people in a cold, busy world.
- Jan. 17, 2023
Great friendly staff since you walk in. Great job
- Nov. 23, 2022
Very friendly, professional, and efficient staff and doctor. Highly recommend.
- Nov. 07, 2022
I love Dr Kovacs and her staff. Detailed testing available but no pressure if you choose to forego a... dditional testing. Great eyeglass selection in every price range.
- Oct. 23, 2022
Great staff and selection of frames
- Sep. 30, 2022
They were all fantastic with my elderly mother!
- Sep. 12, 2022
Friendly, competent staff. Dr. Kovacks always consultes with my opthamologist about my ongoing eye ... issues.
- Aug. 19, 2022
Very pleasant experience.
- Jul. 20, 2022
I've been coming for a few years and I am very happy with Dr Kovacs. She is extremely detailed orien... ted and the office has great technology. I love that I can have a detailed exam without being dilated. I'm very happy with my prescription as well! She takes her time to make sure you are getting a quality exam and prescription.
- Jul. 11, 2022
Great eye care and Great prices
- May. 10, 2022
Great service! Seen very knowledgeable.
- Feb. 27, 2022
Great staff. Excellent service
- Feb. 13, 2022
Staff is great. Everybody is so friendly and helpful
- Feb. 02, 2022
Excellent eye care facility - I will continue to come to Dr. Kovacs for my eye care and ask Roberto ... for advice on choosing the best frames and lenses for my needs. An excellent team!
- Dec. 07, 2021
I won't go anywhere else. Friendly, knowledgeable, caring everything I could ask for.
- Aug. 30, 2021
Best staff ever! So lovely, so accommodating. Couldn't recommend the entire office any higher.

View All 122 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

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Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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