If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or irritated, you may be dealing with dry eye disease. This common eye condition affects the quality and stability of your tear film. At Illinois Eye Associates, we offer eye doctor-led diagnosis and management for dry eye, so you don’t have to rely on guesswork or temporary fixes.
dry, itchy eyes?
Treating Dry Eye in Manhattan &Peotone
relief starts with the right diagnosis
Let Our Dry Eye Doctors help
Manhattan
Illinois Eye Associates
(815) 478-9100
- monday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- tuesday:
- 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- wednesday:
- 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- thursday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- friday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- saturday:
- Closed
- sunday:
- Closed
Peotone
- monday:
- Closed
- tuesday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- wednesday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- thursday:
- 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
- friday:
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- saturday:
- Closed
- sunday:
- Closed
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears they do produce don’t function properly. That imbalance can lead to inflammation and instability on the surface of the eye.
Dry eye is especially common among:
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Adults over 40
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Contact lens wearers
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People who use digital screens for long periods
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Postmenopausal women
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Patients with autoimmune conditions
How do I know I have dry eye?
Dry eye symptoms often build slowly over time. Many people live with the discomfort for months before realizing it’s a medical condition. Signs of dry eye may include:
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Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation
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Eyes that water excessively
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Redness or irritation
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Blurry or fluctuating vision
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Sensitivity to light
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Trouble wearing contact lenses
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Eye fatigue or discomfort while reading or using screens
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Feeling like something is in your eye
How We Diagnose Dry Eye
At Illinois Eye Associates, we don’t guess when it comes to dry eye. During your eye exam, our Manhattan optometrists will:
- Assess the health of your tear film
- Examine the surface of your eyes
- Ask about your daily routine, screen use, medications, and symptoms
Many patients who struggle with over-the-counter drops find relief once the root cause of their dryness is properly identified.
Dry Eye Treatments at Illinois Eye Associates
Dry eye can’t always be “cured,” but it can be managed. We create a plan based on your needs, symptoms, and test results. We offer:
Eye Drops
We can recommend prescription or over-the-counter drops based on your symptoms.
Punctal plugs
These tiny, biocompatible plugs help your eyes retain natural tears by blocking drainage.
Amniotic membrane therapy
In more advanced cases, we may use a healing membrane to reduce inflammation and promote regeneration.
Lifestyle & Environmental Guidance
We’ll help identify triggers like screen time, dry air, or poor blink habits, and walk you through changes.
Lid Hygiene & Maintenance
If clogged glands or buildup are contributing to your symptoms, we’ll show you safe, effective ways to keep your eyelids clean and healthy.
Can dry eye go away on its own?
Dry eye is usually a chronic condition. Symptoms may come and go, but without treatment, they often return or worsen over time.
I’ve tried over-the-counter drops and they don’t help—what now?
Many store-bought drops only treat symptoms temporarily. We offer targeted treatments based on the cause of your dry eye.
Can allergies cause dry eye?
Yes. Allergies can mimic or worsen dry eye symptoms. During your exam, we’ll determine whether allergies, tear imbalance, or both are contributing to your discomfort.
How do I know if I have dry eye or something else?
That’s what we’re here to find out. Your optometrist will examine your eyes and determine whether you’re experiencing dry eye, blepharitis, allergy-related irritation, or another condition.
Book an Appointment
Ready to find relief?
If your eyes are constantly dry, irritated, or uncomfortable, you don’t have to “just live with it.” Schedule an appointment at our Manhattan or Peotone location.