Eye Exams
Burning, gritty, tired, or watery eyes have more than one cause. A focused evaluation helps your doctor find out which one is yours, then build a plan around it.
How We Evaluate
These are methods commonly used to evaluate dry eye. Your doctor decides which are appropriate; not all tests are performed for every patient.
We start with your story: when symptoms began, what makes them better or worse, screen habits, contact lens wear, medications, and general health. You may be asked to complete a short standardized questionnaire, such as the OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) or DEQ-5 (Dry Eye Questionnaire). These help measure how symptoms affect daily life and track change over time. A questionnaire score is a guide, not a diagnosis on its own.
The doctor looks at the eyelid margins, lashes, and gland openings for signs of blockage, inflammation, crusting, or debris. Blink completeness and rate are observed, because partial blinking can leave the tear film unspread. Gentle pressure on the lids may be used to see the quality and flow of the oils your meibomian glands produce.
Using a slit lamp microscope, the doctor examines the cornea and conjunctiva. Diagnostic dyes such as fluorescein or lissamine green may be placed on the eye to highlight dry spots or areas of surface stress that are otherwise invisible.
Tear breakup time measures how long your tear film stays smooth after a blink before it starts to break apart. A short breakup time can point toward an unstable tear film, often linked to evaporative dry eye.
If reduced tear production is suspected, a Schirmer test may be performed. A small strip of paper rests at the edge of the lower lid for a few minutes to estimate how much tear fluid the eye produces.
Depending on your findings, the doctor may consider additional tools such as meibography (imaging of the glands), tear osmolarity, or tear inflammation markers. Availability of these tests varies, and they are not part of every visit. Not every patient needs every test; the doctor selects what is useful for your situation.
The tears are produced, but they evaporate too quickly, most often because the meibomian glands are blocked or releasing poor-quality oil. This is the most common pattern.
The eyes do not produce enough of the watery layer of the tear film. This can be related to age, certain medications, or systemic conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome.
Many people have features of both. Identifying the balance helps the doctor decide which treatments to start with and which to add later if needed.
Individualized Home Care
Most plans begin with daily habits tailored to your findings. Supplements may be discussed for some patients, but they are not a universal treatment.
For clinician-guided eyelid cleansing, see OcuSoft lid hygiene products.
Lubricating drops can supplement the tear film. If you use drops frequently, preservative-free formulas are often preferred. Your doctor can suggest a type that fits your pattern.
Moist heat can soften thickened gland oils, and doctor-directed eyelid cleansing helps reduce debris along the lash line. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Reducing direct airflow from fans or vents, adding humidity, taking regular screen breaks, and practicing complete blinks can ease daily symptoms.
Lens material, wearing time, replacement schedule, or cleaning solution may be changed if contact lenses contribute to discomfort.
Doctor-Assessed Options
If home care is not enough, your doctor may discuss additional options. Not every treatment is right or available for every patient, and no treatment can promise a specific outcome.
When inflammation plays a role, the doctor may assess whether a prescription anti-inflammatory or tear-supporting medication is appropriate. Choice and duration depend on your exam and health history.
For meibomian gland dysfunction, in-office gland expression and controlled heat treatments can help clear blocked glands. Your doctor will discuss whether these fit your findings.
The practice lists Lumenis OptiLight intense pulsed light for dry eye related to meibomian gland dysfunction in appropriate patients. Suitability depends on skin type, eye findings, and a doctor's assessment.
Learn about Lumenis IPLIn selected cases, tiny plugs may be placed in the tear drainage openings to help keep natural or supplemented tears on the eye longer.
For more complex ocular-surface disease, options such as therapeutic scleral lenses or autologous serum tears may be considered. When appropriate, we coordinate referral to a specialist who provides these.
OptiLIFT is a distinct treatment for eyelid muscle tone and blinking. It is evaluated separately for selected patients and is not a universal cure for dry eye.
Learn about OptiLIFTExplore our full dry eye treatment center.
Common Questions
A comprehensive eye exam checks vision and overall eye health. A dry eye evaluation focuses on the tear film, eyelids, glands, and eye surface so the doctor can understand why your eyes feel uncomfortable and what type of dry eye is involved.
Not necessarily. The doctor chooses tests based on your symptoms and findings, and some specialized tests are not available at every visit. The goal is useful information, not a fixed checklist.
No. The quiz and symptom questionnaires help you describe what you are feeling. Only an in-person examination can confirm whether you have dry eye and what is causing it.
No. Some patients choose nutritional supplements, but research results are mixed and they are not a universal treatment. Ask your doctor whether they make sense for you.
It varies. Some people notice changes within weeks of consistent home care, while others need a combination of treatments adjusted over several visits. No treatment guarantees a specific result, which is why follow-up matters.
Coverage depends on your plan and the reason for the visit. Contact our office before your appointment and we can help you understand what to expect.
Request a dry eye evaluation and our team will contact you to schedule at the office most convenient for you.
