If you have been experiencing gritty, burning, watery eyes, or fluctuating vision, a specialized dry eye assessment is the most effective way to pinpoint the root cause. Dry eye syndrome is rarely just a lack of tears; it usually involves an imbalance in the tear film layers or issues with the oil glands in your eyelids.
This guide outlines how to prepare and what will happen during your appointment.
How to Prepare for Your Exam
To ensure accurate diagnostic measurements, please follow these instructions prior to your visit:
- Makeup: Do not apply eye makeup, face creams, or lid hygiene products on the morning of your evaluation. These can interfere with accurate imaging of your eyelid glands.
- Contact Lenses: Do not wear contact lenses on the day of your exam. Please wear your glasses instead, as contacts can temporarily alter your natural tear film.
- Eye Drops: Avoid using any artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or allergy drops for at least 4 hours before your appointment.
What Happens During the Exam
A comprehensive dry eye workup takes about 45 to 60 minutes and involves a series of painless, non-invasive tests.
1. Advanced Digital Imaging (Meibography)
Using specialized imaging technology, the clinical team will take high-resolution infrared photos of the inside of your eyelids. This allows the doctor to directly view your meibomian glands—the critical oil glands responsible for preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly.
This software evaluates the percentage of active glands and measures your Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)—the exact number of seconds it takes for your tear film to dry out after a blink.
2. Tear Film and Surface Analysis
The doctor will use special diagnostic dyes to evaluate the health of your ocular surface and imaging to measure the volume of your tears:
- Diagnostic Staining: A tiny drop of specialized, temporary dye (like fluorescein) is placed in your eye. Under a blue light, this dye illuminates any microscopic dry spots or friction damage on the cornea and conjunctiva.
- Precise Tear Volume Measurement: To determine if your eyes are producing a sufficient volume of tears, we measure your Tear Meniscus Height. Using high-resolution imaging to capture a snapshot of the “tear lake” along your lower eyelid, we can precisely calculate your tear volume. This advanced technology provides an accurate measurement down to a fraction of a millimeter and eliminates the need for uncomfortable paper testing strips.
3. Eyelid Margin Evaluation
Your doctor will use a biomicroscope (slit lamp) and imaging to closely examine your eyelid margins. They will check for signs of inflammation, bacterial debris, or blockages in the gland openings, and will apply gentle pressure to the eyelids to evaluate the quality of the oil being secreted.
Next Steps and Personalized Treatment
Once these metrics are gathered, your doctor will walk you through your customized report to identify your specific type of dry eye—whether it is aqueous deficient (not enough water) or evaporative (poor oil quality).
Based on these specific measurements, a tailored treatment plan will be designed for you. This may include targeted at-home therapies, prescription drops, or specialized in-office procedures to clear blocked glands and restore a healthy tear film. Often, in-office treatments can begin immediately.
If you have any questions before your appointment, please call us at 770.926.2858.