Learn more about ophthalmology and eye care in our blog.

February 18th, 2026
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures performed today. While the surgery itself is typically quick and painless, understanding what happens afterward can help you feel confident and prepared. At Northwest Eye Center, we believe that informed patients experience smoother recoveries and better outcomes. Here’s what you can expect during your cataract surgery recovery process.

February 18th, 2026
Dry, burning eyes at the end of the day? Do your eyes water constantly - even though they feel dry and irritated? If you’ve tried artificial tears, warm compresses, or prescription drops without lasting relief, you’re not alone. At Northwest Eye Center, we offer OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment as an advanced, non-invasive solution designed to target the underlying cause of dry eye. If you’re considering this treatment, here’s what you can expect.

February 18th, 2026
Dry, irritated eyes can be more than just a minor annoyance. When burning, redness, and fluctuating vision become part of your daily routine, it can affect your comfort, productivity, and overall quality of life. Many people reach for artificial tears or prescription drops hoping for lasting relief - only to find their symptoms keep coming back.

February 18th, 2026
If your eyes constantly feel dry, irritated, or watery, the problem may not be a lack of tears - it could be blocked oil glands. At Northwest Eye Center, we frequently see patients struggling with dry eye symptoms caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common condition that interferes with healthy tear production. Fortunately, advanced treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy can help restore proper tear function and bring lasting relief.

December 22, 2025
At Northwest Eye Center, we offer a wide range of dry eye solutions, including advanced treatments like OptiLight IPL, to help you find long-lasting relief. Understanding what sets OptiLight IPL apart from traditional therapies can help you decide which option is right for your needs.

December 22, 2025
Eyelid heaviness, hooding, or loss of firmness can make your eyes look tired even when you feel your best. OptiLIFT is one of the latest non-invasive technologies designed to rejuvenate the eyelids by strengthening and re-energizing the muscles that support them. At Northwest Eye Center, we use OptiLIFT to deliver precise, natural-looking lifting without surgery, downtime, or discomfort.

November 19, 2025
As temperatures drop and indoor heating kicks in, humidity levels plummet - creating the perfect storm for dry, irritated eyes. Dry eye syndrome can make your eyes feel scratchy, watery, or even painful.

November 19, 2025
One of the most effective modern solutions for dry eye treatment is intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, a gentle, non-invasive treatment that targets the root cause of dry eye rather than just masking the symptoms. At Northwest Eye Center, our experienced eye doctor in Barrington uses IPL to help patients restore comfort and eye health. But one of the most common questions we hear is: “How long does IPL for dry eye last?”

October 8, 2025
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults over 50. It affects the macula - the small central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Over time, AMD can make tasks like reading, recognizing faces, or driving more difficult.

October 8, 2025
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision changes as we age, yet they often develop so gradually that the signs go unnoticed. Many people assume that needing brighter light or stronger glasses is just part of getting older - but in some cases, these subtle changes could point to the early stages of cataracts.