Diagnostics and Testing
At Accuvision Dry Eye, we have carefully tailored your dry eye exam to identify the cause of your dry eye using a comprehensive approach.
To start the exam, patients will be asked to fill out a questionnaire which focuses on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. An elevated result will indicate chronic suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome. Dr. Shah will sit down with you to discuss your results and get an understanding of the severity of symptoms.
Advanced Diagnostics
Accuvision Dry Eye has the most advanced diagnostic tests at our disposal, using Tearlab Osmolarity, InflammaDry MMP-9 testing, Meibography using our Lipiscan and Ocular Keratograph, and a variety of staining techniques to evaluate your dry eye.
In order to get the most accurate readings for your initial dry eye exam, we ask that all patients:
- Stop all drops two hours before your exam
- Do not wear any cosmetics to your exam
- Stop all contact lens wear four hours prior to your
- Do not use any ocular ointments or gels the night before your exam initial dry eye exam.
Tear Lab
Our office is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified to perform Tear Lab Osmolarity testing to measure the salt concentration of your tears. Using a quantitative scale, our doctor can diagnose the severity of your dry eye. An elevated reading or variability between both eyes can indicate ocular surface disease.
Inflammadry MMP-9 Testing
The InflammaDry test allows our doctor to analyze the surface of your eye for the presence of Matrix Metallopeptidase 9, or MMP-9. MMP9 is a genetic marker found in abundance in patients with dry eye disease. Results are delivered within 10 minutes with a collection of your tear sample.
Vital Dye Testing
The slit lamp examination is arguably the most important aspect of the dry eye exam. Your doctor will observe and evaluate the cornea of the eye and use techniques such as:
- Corneal staining with lissamine green or sodium fluorescein dye
- Evaluation of Meibomian gland health and function
- Observation of tear breakup time
Meibography
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is characterized by gland obstruction, low secretions, and gland atrophy. MGD is diagnosed based on compromise to the gland function and/structure. MGD affects over 86% of dry eye patients. It can be imaged using infrared imaging. This allows our doctors to view any obstructions or truncations of your meibomian glands. This is done on all patients using both our Lipiscan and Oculus Keratograph 5M.
Lipiscan
The Lipiscan allows us to image the meibomian glands on both the upper and lower eyelids.
Oculus Keratograph 5M
The Oculus Keratograph 5M is an advanced corneal topographer with a built in keratometer and a color camera. It allows our doctor to examine the meibomian glands, look at the tear film, measure the tear meniscus height, and evaluate the lipid layer.