Dry Eye Assessment

During your Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment at In2Eyes, we utilise a number of strategies and technologies to determine the extent and causes of your dry eyes and to develop your Dry Eye Treatment Action Plan.

How We Diagnose Dry Eye Syndrome:

• Slit lamp exam/biomicroscopy: This exam allows our optometrist to see areas at the surface of the eye at a microscopic level, including the eyelids, conjunctiva, iris, lens, sclera, and cornea. The retina and optic nerve can also be seen.
• Hyperosmolarity test: Hyperosmolarity of the tear film is recognized as an important pathogenetic factor in dry eye syndrome (DES). Tear hyperosmolarity may be regarded as the single feature that characterises the condition of “ocular surface dryness”.
  The Tearlab Osmolarity System is a new user-friendly tool that only needs tiny volumes for analysis and determines hyperosmolarity semi-automatically. The disposable probe, touched onto the lower tear meniscus at the lid margin, collects a nanolitre sample of tears, which is analysed within seconds to provide the clinician with an osmolarity reading. Normal values lie around 304mOsm/kg while values over 320mOsm/kg indicate dry eye.
• Evaluation of the tear film and cornea: by putting a drop of sodium fluorescein (a yellow dye) into the eyes which mixes with the tears to give a clearer indication of the quality of tear film, and any signs of corneal damage due to excessive dryness.
• Evaluation of tear production: A cotton thread impregnated with phenol red dye is placed between the lower lid and eye are used to measure tear production.
• Utilising  The Oculus Keratograph 5 (see below), this incredible advanced technology will allow your optometrist to assess and record the extent of your dry eyes including Meibography, Tear Film quantification & qualification, Lipid Layer assessment and Red Eye assessment.
• If autoimmune disease is suspected as a cause, blood tests may be required. Your optometrist will refer you to your GP to action this.

The Oculus Keratograph

The Oculus Keratograph is a revolution in dry eye technology. With the K5, we can assess and record the extent of your dry eyes including:

• Meibography
• Tear Film quantification & qualification
• Lipid Layer assessment
• Red Eye assessment.

The new Keratograph high-definition colour camera makes finest structures visible. NIKBUT (non-invasive Keratograph break-up time), tear meniscus height (or tear prism), lipid layer and tear film particles movement are examined carefully and documented for comparison with post-treatment images. The exams are noninvasive, user-friendly and reproducible.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. In2Eyes has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Please consult our optometrists, or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.