Diagnosis for Dry Eyes
External examination of a patient’s eye including the blink dynamics and lid structure also helps to find out the underlying cause of the dry eye disease and confirm the diagnosis of the disease. Evaluation of the cornea and eyelids employs the use of magnification and bright light. The measurement of the quality and quantity of tears helps to identify any abnormalities in a patient’s eyes. Special dyes might be put in the eyes to clearly observe the tear flow and then highlight any changes to the outer layer of the eyes due to insufficient tears. By gathering the information from all the testing, a doctor who specializes in optometry can evaluate if you have dry eye disease or not and then discuss the treatment options with you. (6)
The diagnostic tests and procedures that might be helpful in determining the underlying cause of dry eyes include the following:
A comprehensive examination of the eye
A physical examination of the eye involves taking the complete history of patient’s overall health and eye health as well that ultimately helps the doctor to confirm the presence of dry eyes and the underlying cause of it. Dry eyes disease require a comprehensive eye examination as a first step to get a proper diagnosis. The testing has an emphasis on the evaluation of the quality and the quantity of the tears that your eyes are producing. The medical history of the patient helps to determine the symptoms and to watch out for any general health problems, environmental factors, or medications that might be contributing to the dry eye disease.