woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Barrington

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

Schedule Eye Exam

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 Barrington Eye Care for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 Barrington 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 Barrington

Our optometry practice in Barrington

Photograph of Joseph Aschenbrenner
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Davis Vision
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross
  • Aetna
Patient Reviews
4.7
110 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Nov. 16, 2023
Dr. Kate is a knowledgeable and caring professional seeking the optimal results. She brought new ins... ights to my follow-up appointment and suggested alternative approaches to correct my vision. Thank you, Dr. Kate!
- Nov. 10, 2023
Got a same day appointment when I needed it and the doctor was fabulous
- Nov. 02, 2023
Best place for complete eye solution. I had an appointment with Dr. Kate Schooley. She was responsiv... e to all my questions and paid great attention examining my eye.
- Oct. 21, 2023
The best place to get glasses. Great selection, great prices, and great staff to help with picking a... pair a glasses.
- Oct. 02, 2023
All of the staff is very professional and my eye dr is so efficient and very nice.
- Oct. 01, 2023
Excellent eye health care!
- Sep. 15, 2023
Dr. Kowar is fantastic! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a quality eye exam with an exper... ienced and caring doctor.
- Sep. 11, 2023
Always happy with the experience.
- Aug. 31, 2023
Been a patient many years. Care is professional and prompt and friendly
- Aug. 11, 2023
Great customer service. Friendly staff. So helpful with picking out my new glasses.
- Jul. 22, 2023
We love everything about Barrington eye care. We have been coming for 23+ years and highly recommend... . We now travel from Nashville annually to see them.
- Jun. 27, 2023
Barrington Eye Care has been our family eye doctor for decades. Impressive credentials of the docto... r/s, great customer service. Will happily recommend to anyone looking for eye care.
- May. 08, 2023
Great place, great selection! Get you in and out of their establishment quickly. Everyone was so so ... nice and helpful
- Feb. 19, 2023
Customer service and care is great. I had some glasses done after my eye exam there. I had several p... airs made but one just wasn’t right. They offered to have the lenses remade at no cost to me.
- Jan. 21, 2023
The staff is always very attentive and friendly. They exams are through and they always take the t... ime to listen to your concerns
- Jan. 19, 2023
I was visiting from out of town when my eyeglasses got bent. I walked in, and was warmly greeted by ... the staff. I explained my situation, and asked if they offer any adjustments, or had any solutions? They promptly brought me back, and carefully fixed my stretched frames. They even went so far as to have me try them on twice to be certain it was the perfect fit. When I asked how much I owed, they said; “it was our pleasure just being able to help you. There’s no charge”. I can’t recommend this place enough. What a wonderfully kind, friendly, welcoming, memorable experience!
- Dec. 28, 2022
very knowledgeable and efficient office and doctor.
- Dec. 21, 2022
Dr. Joseph Aschenbrenner was wonderful. His genuine interest in seeking my best care sets Barringto... n Eye Care apart from other doctors. Thank you.
- Nov. 23, 2022
Consistently wonderful experience. The staff are friendly and professional.
- Nov. 14, 2022
Excellent people who treat their patients very well. Knowledgeable and honest. Great company

View All 110 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!

Schedule Eye Exam