Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes are unable to produce enough tears or maintain a proper tear film. It can lead to discomfort, blurry vision, and even damage to the cornea if untreated. Diagnosing dry eye involves comprehensively evaluating the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and various diagnostic tests. 

 

Patient History and Symptoms

The first step in diagnosing dry eye disease is to gather a detailed patient history. Dr. Savaglio will ask about the patient’s symptoms including dryness, itching, burning sensation, redness, and fluctuating vision. He will also enquire about factors that may exacerbate the symptoms—exposure to dry or windy environments, prolonged screen time, or contact lens wear. 

Comprehensive Eye Examination

A comprehensive eye examination is crucial in assessing your eye health. It helps identify any underlying conditions contributing to dry eye disease. Your optometrist will examine your eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, and tear film, as well as check for any signs of inflammation, eyelid abnormalities, or damage to the ocular surface.

 

Visual Acuity Test 

A visual acuity test measures how well a person can see at different distances. Dry eye primarily affects the quality of tears and ocular surface. It can also cause fluctuation in vision. Conducting a visual acuity test helps determine if vision changes or dry eye is the cause or if you have other underlying causes.

 

Tear Film Evaluation 

The quantity and quality of tears are crucial in maintaining a healthy ocular surface. Several tests can help evaluate the tear film. A tear breakup time test (TBUT) measures how long it takes for the tear film to break up after a blink.

Your eye care professional may use a fluorescein dye to observe your tear film under blue light. A shorter TBUT indicates an unstable tear film. A Schirmer test can help measure tear production over a particular period.

Next, they will place a small strip of filter paper in your lower eyelid. A lower measurement suggests reduced tear production. A tear osmolarity test will measure the salt concentration in tears. Elevated osmolarity is indicative of dry eye disease. 

 

Meibomian Gland Assessment 

The meibomian glands in your eyelids produce the oil layer of the tear film that helps prevent tear evaporation. Dysfunction of these glands commonly occurs due to dry eye disease. Several techniques can help assess the meibomian glands.

Dr. Savaglio can do a meibography, which uses infrared imaging to visualize the structure and function of the meibomian glands. It helps identify gland dropout and atrophy. Meibomian gland expression also helps.

Your eye doctor can assess the quality and quantity of meibum. Meibum is an oily substance produced by the glands. They do so by applying gentle pressure to the eyelids. Thickened or insufficient meibum can indicate meibomian gland dysfunction.

Inflammatory Marker Testing 

Inflammation plays a crucial role in dry eye disease. Testing for inflammatory markers helps evaluate the severity of inflammation. It determines appropriate treatment options. Your eye care professional may use this test to check whether you have dry eye disease.


 

For more about dry eye disease, contact Savaglio Family Vision at our office in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Call (262) 657-7850 to book an appointment today.