Find a DoctorDry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface. 1
Estimated 55 million Americans with dry eye disease
Put a check mark next to the symptoms you have experienced.
Osmolarity
In fact, dry eye disease occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or produce poor quality tears. That’s why it’s essential you get your tears analyzed by your eye doctor. Only an eye doctor can properly diagnose your problem and treat it appropriately.
Your eye doctor will take a sample of tears from each eye and use the TearLab device to measure osmolarity (the saltiness of your tears). As osmolarity in your tears increase ocular surface cells become damaged. Your doctor will need an amount of tear fluid no larger than the period at the end of this sentence.
Watch this educational video to learn more about osmolarity and the TearLab test.
The process
TearLab aids in accurate and early detection of Dry Eye Disease
Questionnaire
TearLab Testing
What's My Osmolarity?
Diagnosis
Causes of Dry Eye
environmental causes Medications contact lens wear diseases refractive eye surgeries hormonal deficiencies or changes low blink rate
Environmental Causes
Hot, dry and/or windy climates – High altitudes – Excessive sun exposure – Central heating – Air conditioning – Hair dryers – Cigarette smoke – Air pollution – Air travel
Medications (prescription or over the counter)*
Allergy medications, especially antihistamines – Antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, diazepam) – Some blood pressure medications – Parkinson's medications – Birth control pills – Diuretics – Beta blockers – Sleeping pills – Many pain medications – Certain medications which regulate heart rhythm irregularities – Decongestants
*Do not stop usage or change your medications without first consulting your doctor.
Contact Lens Wear
Two million individuals abandon soft contact lens wear altogether each year with nearly 50% of these contact lens "dropouts" attributing dryness or discomfort as the primary reason. 2
Diseases
Parkinson's disease – Sjögren's syndrome (an auto-immune disease) – Rheumatoid arthritis – Lupus – Lacrimal gland deficiency – Diabetes – Sarcoidosis – Stevens-Johnson syndrome – Rosacea: Facial rosacea is commonly associated with ocular rosacea, which causes conditions such as blepharitis
Refractive Eye Surgeries
Dry eye is the most common complaint or adverse event following LASIK. 3
Hormonal Deficiencies or Changes
Thyroid conditions – Hormonal changes during menopause – Decreased production of androgen – Estrogen supplementation (there are reports both of this improving dry eye conditions and worsening them) 4
Low Blink Rate
Blinking is critical in spreading tears over the surface of the eye and stimulating tear production. A chronic low blink rate is associated with dry eye symptoms. Computer use, reading, and watching TV are the three activities most commonly associated with a low blink rate.
Find a Doctor
To locate a doctor in the United States that uses a TearLab Osmolarity system, please search around your location, enter a city or ZIP/Postal code, or enter a doctor’s name or clinic.
150 La Terraza Blvd. Ste 101 Escondido, CA 92025
