Finding Relief from Dry Eye Disease (DED)

Dry Eye Treatment at Northwest Eye Physicians

Serving you in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove and the surrounding areas.

We Get It.

Dry eye is an extremely frustrating condition often referred to as Dry Eye Disease (DED).

It impacts your daily life and can be hard to manage. But the good news is, you’re in the right place. Dry eye affects millions worldwide, causing irritating symptoms that disrupt everyday life. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons for patient visits, making effective treatment a top priority for us.

Understanding Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can happen for several reasons, from reduced tear production to increased tear evaporation. Whether caused by aging, environmental factors, or medical conditions, understanding the underlying issue is the first step to effective treatment.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry Eye Disease is a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears are of poor quality.

This leads to discomfort, inflammation, and in severe cases, damage to the eye's surface. Common triggers include environmental stress, prolonged screen time, certain medications, and aging.

The Anatomy of a Dry Eye

Your eyes rely on a consistent flow of tears to stay moist and healthy. Tears are made up of three layers: water, oil, and mucus. When any of these components are out of balance, it can lead to dry eye. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which affects the oil-producing glands, is a primary cause of dry eye.

Common Symptoms

People with moderate to severe DED often report at least two of the following common issues:

Contact lens discomfort
Sensation of grit or sand in the eye
Redness and burning
Itching and light sensitivity
Significant eye pain

Difficulty performing daily tasks
Decreased energy and vitality
Poor general health
Feelings of depression

Diagnosing Dry Eye

Diagnosing dry eye accurately requires careful evaluation of several factors to pinpoint the root cause and determine the best course of treatment.

Tests We Perform:

Symptom Assessment – We start with a patient questionnaire to evaluate your symptoms.
Tear Volume – Using Phenol Red or Schirmer’s tests, we measure tear production.
Inflammation Detection – MMP-9 biomarker tests reveal underlying inflammation.
Tear Concentration – TearLab helps us assess tear quality.
Meibomian Gland Analysis – Lipiscan evaluates gland structure and function.
Tear Oil Levels – Tear break-up time measures the amount of oil in your tears.
Lid Hygiene – We check for the presence of blepharitis (eyelid inflammation).

Treating Dry Eye

Once we've identified the cause of your dry eye, we offer a variety of treatment options, which may include one or more of the following:

Artificial Tears – Preservative-free drops to relieve symptoms.
Lid Hygiene – In-office or at-home practices to improve eye health.
Omega-3 Supplements – To enhance tear production.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications – Such as Restasis or Xiidra.
Warm Compresses – Using a Bruder mask to soothe irritated eyes.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy – A new, effective option for those who haven’t found relief with conventional treatments. IPL encourages oil flow and reduces inflammation with a quick, non-invasive procedure.

Healthy eyes require a continuous flow of tears for moisture, healing, and protection against infection. When tears are insufficient in quantity or quality, the eyes become dry and irritated. Causes range from age to contact lens use. For severe cases, treatments like
artificial tears, warm compresses, or even closing the tear ducts can help. We also offer more advanced therapies, including IPL and LipiFlow, to address persistent symptoms.

For a deeper understanding of how our treatments work, check out the video below.

LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation

How It Works

LipiFlow uses single-use, sterile activators to safely apply heat to the inner eyelids and simultaneously massage the outer lids. This combination clears blockages from the Meibomian glands, allowing the glands to produce the oils essential for eye comfort and protection.

Our Doctors

Our team of eye specialists is dedicated to providing personalized care for every patient. Our experienced doctors utilize the latest technology and treatments to help manage and alleviate dry eye symptoms, improving your quality of life. With extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating dry eye, we’re here to guide you to the most effective solutions for your condition.