Which Tests Are Done to Diagnose Dry Eyes.

 

Which Tests Are Done To Diagnose Dry Eyes. 

How do you know you have chronic dry eye syndrome?

Maybe your eyes hurt, red, and swollen. Bright lights bother you.   You have been using eye drops constantly with dry eye relief - you want to put more drops in after 10 minutes.  Your eye doctor simply tell you to use more eye drops, the ones without preservatives, gel drops at night, prescription drops that is suppose to work.  Frustrating?

Do you know what tests your eye doctors can in order to diagnose dry eyes?

Dry eye syndrome is the most frequently discussed topic within the ophthalmic community because of its prevalence in the clinical practice. There are new diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can help detect and evaluate clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye.  Knowing these tests can help you ask your doctor to do them every time you visit.

These test values can be very helpful in tracking your improvement when you take TheraLife Eye.

Diagnostics

1. Ocular Surface Staining-
Fluramene is a new vital dye to aid the clinician in the evaluation of both the conjunctival and corneal surfaces for evidence of dry eye disease. It is a fluorescein sodium and lissamine green dye combination packaged in a 15 ml bottle with a control tip dropper that delivers a consistent concentration with each application. The new dye can evaluate both conjunctiva and cornea surface simultaneously will enhance our diagnostic abilities in a more efficient manner.

2. Tear Volume Evaluation; Critical to determine if Lacrimal (tear secretion) Gland is deficient.
There are 2 methods for measuring how much tears your eyes are secreting. Lacrimal Gland is important to know just how dry your eyes are. Both measurements are commonly used:

a. Shirmmer’s Test – a strip of paper is inserted into the lower of your eyes lids – the amount of tear collected is measure by mm on the paper strip. Normal values > 15mm.

b. Zone Quick – a thread with dye is inserted into the lower eye lid. Results are measured in minutes – faster than Shirmmer’s.

3. Tear Viscosity – measures how thick your tear is, an indication of meibomian gland function. Meibomian glands secrete lubricants to make your tears thicker. Thin tears make it easier to evaporate causing dry eyes. The most frequent problem is clogging making the lubricants impossible to come out.

Tear Breakup Time:  Your eye doctor uses a stop watch and measure the time it takes the fluorescent dye to disperse. The thinner your tear, faster it disperse and easier to evaporate.

Both your Lacrimal and Meibomian glands must function properly in a balanced manner in order for your eyes to feel comfortable.

Why TheraLife Eye?
TheraLife Eye is the only formula that treats both Lacrimal and Meibomian Glands simultaneous from inside out. It does so by stimulating and restoring normal cell functions to both tear secretion glands.

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This article is an abstract from April issue of Optometric Management, 2011.