I like solving mysteries!  Why do eyes feel dry?  The answer is straight forward.   It is either a decrease in tear film lubricity or poor tear film coating caused by?  Below we will see the factors that cause it. Over the last decade our insights have built on the work of many giants in our area (Too numerous to mention here).  Using a combination of the best thinking and questioning what we were missing which was ‘hiding  in plain sight?’   We answered the non intuitive questions why dry eye tests like Schrimmer and TBUT etc are only helpful and not diagnostic.  

Our understanding of dry eye disorders was aided by the development of high contrast corneal fluorescein photography. It allowed us to see the subtle corneal changes as well as the dynamics of the lid and tear film. Video with slow motion permitted analysis which we share below. 

Photography has helped us diagnosis dry eye disorders and also evaluate if treatment works. I believe it represents an improvement over all tests.   Many of my DED patients had ‘undetectable’ findings. In fact many seem to tear. It was easier to tell our patients “to stop on the way out for a sample drop.”  When desperate we ordered immunomodulators and even plugs.  

We all have favorites but could rarely discern what was in them. Indeed, most manufacturers sell by the Pepsi-Coke premise of slick advertising.  

My goal was to find out why patients have DED and uncover the underling cause. That is the best way to fix anything. Based on our findings we are developed new  drops to treat some of the underlying causes. 

Static pictures are useful in DED, but along with video shows you the complete picture of the tear coating during the blink.  Ex. If you recall the gallop of horses was painted incorrectly until movies. Note the actual gallop.

A photo is better than a word description to document your findings. It allows you to track changes with treatment and to engage the patient when you show your patients their own images.

Photos plus video will shows you the whole picture of tear film coating during the entire cycle. 

Our specially advanced fluorescein slit lamp camera is now commercially available and gives detail that you would miss with a normal slit lamp. 

 Below is a comparison of your slit lamp blue light to what the new system can visualize. It allows you to see subtle punctate stain as well as tear coating and dynamics. 

This shows instant replay slow motion:

Note the lower corneal punctate stain and the lack of coating the lower 1/3. Tear film evaporation is less significant since it never got coated.

Renewed attention is being given this area. Use this link for more information on meibomian examinations