Dry eye care
Dry Eye Care in Downtown Chicago
If your eyes burn, water or feel like there’s sand in them, you don’t have to just live with it. Let’s find out why. Caring for Chicagoland eyes since 1996.
Does this sound like your eyes?
Dry eye shows up in more ways than most people expect. If two or three of these sound familiar, it’s worth an appointment.
Burning or stinging
That gets worse as the day goes on.
Watery eyes
Yes, constant watering can be a dry eye symptom.
A gritty feeling
Like something is in your eye that won’t rinse out.
Vision that clears when you blink
Blurriness that sharpens for a second, then returns.
Tired, heavy eyes
Redness after a long day at the computer.
Contacts that turned uncomfortable
Lenses that used to be fine and aren’t anymore.
Dry eye has a lot of possible causes
Dry eye isn’t one condition. It’s a set of symptoms that can come from many places, and the right approach depends on the cause.
That’s why we don’t hand you a bottle of drops and send you home. We look for the reason behind your symptoms.
What a dry eye visit involves
Dr. Pelini will ask about your symptoms: when they started, when they’re worst and what you’ve already tried. Then she examines your eyes and eyelids to understand what’s driving the discomfort.
You’ll talk through options together and leave knowing what she found and what the plan is.
A dedicated clinical focus
Dry eye is one of Dr. Pelini’s core clinical focuses. She is a member of TFOS, the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society, and the Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society.
A whole-body approach
Dry eye rarely starts and stops at the eye. Dr. Pelini takes a nutrition-aware, holistic approach, so expect questions about your diet, your screen time and the medications you take.
Ask her whether eye-health supplements make sense for you.
Downtown, for all of Chicagoland
We’re on South Michigan Avenue between Jackson and Van Buren.
Common questions about dry eye
Is dry eye permanent?
For many people it’s an ongoing condition that’s managed over time rather than solved once. The goal is comfortable eyes and a plan you can stick with.
Why do my eyes water if they’re dry?
It sounds backwards, but it’s common. Irritated eyes sometimes respond by producing a flood of tears that don’t stay on the eye’s surface, so you’re watering and still uncomfortable.
Is dry eye covered by insurance?
Dry eye is usually a medical concern rather than a routine vision check, so it’s often billed to medical insurance. Bring both your vision and medical cards and we’ll sort it out. See our insurance page.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us.
How long is the appointment?
Plan on at least 30 minutes, like all of our exams.
Where are you located?
At 328 S. Michigan Ave., between Jackson and Van Buren, across from Grant Park.
Let’s find out what’s behind your dry eyes
Or text or call (312) 427-6720. New patients welcome.
Results may vary. For advice about your own eyes, see Dr. Pelini.
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