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The key to treating dry eye? Accurate diagnosis. Learn how eye docs determine its cause for effective treatment.
As with most things, your first step in getting treatment for dry eye (commonly referred to as Dry Eye Disease or Dry Eye Syndrome) is getting a confirmed diagnosis from our eye care professional. This happens at our eye care clinic in Bellflower, where we use (562) 925-6591 for scheduling appointments.
Dry eye can be caused by a multitude of underlying causes. Therefore, our optometrist at our clinic will require a complete health history and a comprehensive eye exam, as well as specialized tests to determine the cause and severity of your dry eye. Here are the tests that we utilize for the diagnosis of dry eye.
The Schirmer Test is a common test for determining whether a patient has dry eye. This test, also known as a basal secretion test, measures aqueous tear production in the eyes. The test involves the doctor placing blotting strips (small strips of paper with measurement lines) just inside each eye’s lower eyelid, then have the patient close their eyes slowly. The moisture moving down the strip determines the level of tear production. This test usually takes around 5 minutes.
The test is not painful, though the patient may receive numbing drops to reduce discomfort during the test.
In this test, which is similar to the Schirmer Test, a special red thread is used to measure tear production. In comparison to the Schirmer test, the Phenol Red Thread Test causes less reflex tearing, and, taking just 15 seconds, is much easier to administer to children. However, the test may need to be performed more than once to completely assess the severity of a patient’s dry eye.
In the slit lamp test, our eye doctor uses a microscope called a slit lamp to check if your eyes are producing enough tears. A thin, bright light will be shined into your eye as we look at it with a microscope. This test forms a crucial part of our comprehensive eye care services at our eye care clinic in Bellflower.
This test checks how long a patient’s tear film (the layer of tears which covers the eyes) lasts after the eye blink. For the test, a small amount of dye will be placed in the eye, and the patient will be asked to blink so it fully covers the eye. Then, as the patient looks forward without moving or blinking their eyes, our eye doctor will observe how long the dyed tear film remains covering the eyes. The less time it lasts, the more likely the patient has dry eye (a tear breakup time of less than 10 seconds is considered abnormal).
This is a patient response questionnaire, which allows the patient to describe their experiences, and uses the answers to the questions to determine if dry eye symptoms are detected. If they are, both imaging of the meibomian glands and a gland evaluation are recommended.
This is a technology that our advanced eye care clinic in Bellflower has invested in, which takes high-resolution images of the meibomian glands. This helps our optometrist understand the underlying cause of your symptoms. Over 80% of dry eye sufferers have blockage in these glands; this test allows for a more effective treatment of the root cause.
This is a specialized diagnostic instrument which provides a standardized, repeatable examination of meibomian gland function. It functions by applying the same pressure of a deliberate blink as it observes the gland function through a slit lamp. This lets the Dr. Eric T. Ikeda assess gland function, as well as track progression of any condition and treatment.
This type of testing allows the doctor to precisely measure the stability and health of the tear film. In the test, a small micro fluid sample of tears is collected and analyzed by a device, which displays a number score based on the analysis. A score below 300 along with a difference of less than 8 mOsms/L (Osmolarity) is an indication that the tear film is stable. Higher scores indicate an unstable tear film, at which point treatment options can be discussed.
This type of testing allows us to precisely measure the stability and health of your tear film. A score below 300 along with a difference of less than 8 mOsms/L (Osmolarity) is an indication that the tear film is stable. Higher scores indicate an unstable tear film, at which point treatment options can be discussed at our optometry clinic.
When you come in for an appointment, our eye doctor will determine, based on the symptoms you report, which test is most likely to provide the right information so we can determine the exact nature of your dry eye problem, and start working on treatment plans. If you would like to schedule a dry eye exam, you can call us at (562) 925-6591. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
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