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Dry Eye Treatment in Barrington

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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.

A woman with curly hair and glasses on her left side touching her forehead with her right hand, possibly having a headache
man having his eyes examined by a woman doctor

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

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 Sjogren'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

Patient Reviews

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203 Reviews
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Jodie - Mar 12, 2026
Dr. Katharine Schooley leads with care.
Amanda H. - Jan 12, 2026
I had never been here before. But I needed an appointment ASAP after my kitten scratched my eye acci... dentally. My phone call was answered on the first ring and they were able to see me immediately. (Not something I expected they’d be able to do!) The front desk, pretester, and doctor were all very friendly and helpful. My prescription was sent in and filled before I had even left the building. They were great with the small kids that were there at the same time as me, too. I would highly recommend!

Dry Eyes Treatment in Barrington

Street view of Barrington Eye Care office.
Photograph of Kate Schooley
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
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Davis Vision
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross
  • Aetna
Woman sitting at a desk, holding her head and rubbing her eyes in pain.

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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