Surveys There are various surveys that have been studied to help quantify a patient’s symptoms. This is helpful in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and also in the management of the condition. The following are examples of surveys that are used clinically. Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) The SPEED test is a … Continued
Rose Bengal 17 Rose Bengal is a red dye that can effectively stain degenerated epithelial cells and outline cells that are damaged. Often used to diagnose keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and other conditions associated with dry eye, the desquamated cells will clearly show on the conjunctiva as brown spots. The green filter and high magnification levels … Continued
Exam Testing Visual Acuity Transient visual blurring that clears upon blinking can be caused by dry eyes. Corneal edema can also be caused by dry eye syndrome, resulting in visual changes. The resultant steepening of the corneal curve can cause transient myopia. Another disturbance to visual acuity is caused by excessive mucin production that can … Continued
The Tear Film To better understand dry eye syndrome, it is necessary to fully understand all the components of the tear film and an efficient anatomical blink. The tear is essential to the health and function of the eye. It consists of three layers, the mucin layer, the aqueous layer, and the lipid layer. The … Continued
Course Introduction What is Dry Eye Syndrome? Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye cannot produce a sufficient quantity of tears or when the tear quality is abnormal. Dry eye syndrome can cause discomfortable, can restrict many activities, can lead to repeated infections, or can damage the underlying cornea resulting in vision loss. According to … Continued
Onboarding: Training for Eye Care Professionals Glossary ABBE Value: Measures the dispersion of light through a lens material, indicating how well it reduces chromatic aberration. A higher Abbe value means less color distortion and clearer vision Abduction: The movement of the eye outward, away from the nose ABO exam: Certification exam administered by the … Continued
Lids Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a common complication among contact lens wearers. It is an inflammation of the tissue called the tarsal conjunctiva, which is located underneath the upper lid. The inflammation is diagnosed by the appearance of large swollen processes which make the tarsal conjunctiva appear to be covered with … Continued
Pre-Existing Factors and Post-Wear Complications Many tests conducted during the evaluation and initial fitting of a contact lens patient might point to pre‐existing conditions that can be exacerbated by contact lens wear. Sometimes conditions or complications are only revealed after contact lenses have been worn for some period of time. Many clinicians will simply refuse … Continued
Cornea Mechanical Epithelial Defects Technically, the contact lens is a foreign body that rubs across and is pressed against the corneal epithelium with each blink, thousands of timeseach day. Surprisingly, this only occasionally results in an abrasion. Corneal abrasions from contact lens wear need to be recognized and treated because they indicate chronic epithelial stress … Continued
Contact Lens Complications and Resolutions Introduction Contact lens related complications can range from mild and self‐limiting to severe and sight threatening, which require rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss. Millions of individuals wear contact lenses, so even a small percentage of patients experiencing complications can constitute a significant public health problem. Serious eye … Continued
Epithelial Defects Staining Patterns Using the Biomicroscope and Fluorescein Chemical Epithelial Defects Various contact lens chemical solutions can produce a range of epithelial defects from marked erosions to less extensive punctate defects. Surfactant cleaning solutions that are left on the lens after cleaning can cause: immediate pain, redness, photophobia, and tearing upon lens insertion. These … Continued