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Diagnostic Tests for Dry Eye Syndrome

by dwasylow 31 August 2015 13:50 PM

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Dry eye syndrome can be extremely uncomfortable. Sufferers often experience burning, itching, watering eyes, grittiness and more. When we meet with these patients at Gainesville Eye Physicians, talking through the symptoms is usually enough to identify dry eye syndrome as the culprit. Accurately diagnosing the underlying cause of dry eye, however, requires testing.

Here are our most common diagnostic tests for dry eye syndrome…

TearLab Osmolarity

An important indicator of eye health is osmolarity, the amount of salt in the tear film. Too much salt means the watery part of the tear film is drying up, leaving excess salt behind. With the TearLab Osmolarity system, we take a small sample of your tears and quickly know your exact salt concentration. Regular osmolarity testing helps us track the severity of your dry eye and evaluate which treatments have the best results.

LipiView II with Dynamic Meibomian Imaging

Healthy eyes have a coating of lipids (oils) to keep them moist. These oils are produced by meibomian glands in the eyelids. Insufficient oil production can lead to evaporative dry eye syndrome. LipiView II allows us to evaluate the thickness of the lipid layer while simultaneously assessing the structure and function of the meibomian glands. At Gainesville Eye Physicians, LipiFlow is our preferred treatment for evaporative dry eye disease.

Manual Meibomian Gland Expression

When too little oil exists in the lipid layer, it’s often because some of the meibomian glands are clogged. The oils within can be too thick to flow naturally. To evaluate this, the doctor will gently press on your lower eyelids to manually squeeze out some of the oils. He will be able to tell how many of the glands are clogged while also seeing the consistency of the meibum, the oil they produce.

Lid Seal Test

Some people’s eyelids don’t close completely when they sleep. Even a small gap can allow in air and cause drying, especially for those who sleep with a fan on or use a CPAP machine. A simple evaluation allows us to determine if this is the case for you. If so, moisture chamber goggles may provide relief.

RPS Detector's InflammaDry

Many patients with dry eye have an enzyme called MMP-9 (Matrix Metalloproteinase-9) in their tears. Presence of this marker is a crucial piece of information to point us in the right direction for your treatment. We introduce a small tear sample from the inner lining of your lower eyelid into RPS Detector’s InflammaDry system and within 10 minutes have a definitive result.

If dry eyes cause you discomfort, schedule a consultation with Gainesville Eye Physicians today. We specialize in dry eye treatment and would be honored to include you on our list of satisfied patients.

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