Is there a definitive test to find out what type of Dry Eye you have?

[jack1988]

Hi guys,

I am from the UK and have seen a few specialists in the UK regarding my dry eye. It is only in one eye (since my squint surgery) but every time I go the see someone they conclude I have dry eye but they don't tell me which type. My glands are all present and correct and I don't have Bleph either.

Is there a test that tells you which type you have? If there is I will research online and see which UK doctors provide these tests.

Thanks

[Fenix]

An ophtamologist is able to determine what type of dry eye do you have with an examination of your eyes. Essentially, the doctor have to determine the volume and the quality of your tears to find out.
See this article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20371869

[jack1988]

An ophtamologist is able to determine what type of dry eye do you have with an examination of your eyes. Essentially, the doctor have to determine the volume and the quality of your tears to find out.
See this article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20371869

Thanks. Annoying that they haven't bloody told me yet!

[Alix]

There are 2 main types of dry eye - aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye, and there are a wide range of tests a doctor would do including tear quality and volume as Felix said. The most basic are Schirmers Test for aqueous and TBUT for evaporative, but you probably already know that. Then they would try to narrow down the cause through further tests. So I would not say there is one definitive test.

Don't forget its possible to have different types of dry eye at the same time, and your condition will evolve over time.

In my case, when my problems started 3 years ago, I was told I had evaporative dry eye due to low TBUT, and my Schirmers test was 15 so not great but no real issue with tear production. However the result from last test was a score of 7. I was told the inflammation caused by low oil is now causing disruption in tear production, so now I have both types of dry eye.

[jack1988]

There are 2 main types of dry eye - aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye, and there are a wide range of tests a doctor would do including tear quality and volume as Felix said. The most basic are Schirmers Test for aqueous and TBUT for evaporative, but you probably already know that. Then they would try to narrow down the cause through further tests. So I would not say there is one definitive test.

Don't forget its possible to have different types of dry eye at the same time, and your condition will evolve over time.

In my case, when my problems started 3 years ago, I was told I had evaporative dry eye due to low TBUT, and my Schirmers test was 15 so not great but no real issue with tear production. However the result from last test was a score of 7. I was told the inflammation caused by low oil is now causing disruption in tear production, so now I have both types of dry eye.

Hi Alix,

Thanks for this. Does inflammation in the eye really have an impact on the lacrimal gland then? I think that is what has happened. My oil glands are all present and correct according to the last eye doctor I saw.

Could you recommend anyone in the UK who could give a good diagnosis?

Thanks

[Alix]

Hi Jack I don't have a medical background so I only have a basic knowledge of ophthalmology gained through conversations with doctors/personal research - that said, it was a highly qualified eye doctor who gave me this diagnosis so I have no reason to believe he is wrong. Different parts of the eye do work in isolation, they interact with each other so if one part is not working properly then it will have knock on effects on others.

I have seen countless doctors both NHS and private and at the end of the day they have come to similar conclusions, and regardless of the diagnosis, the medications and treatments available are limited so I would not get your hopes up that by going to see a good doctor he is going to tell you something you haven't already heard before.

I'll PM you details of a doctor who I saw who is I thought was quite good.