Dry eye tests

Over the years, I've had two main tests done to diagnose my dry eyes (but I would say for me even without these tests I knew my eyes were abnormally dry).

The first test I had was with the yellow dye. This is a fluorescent dye which stains the dry patches on the dye. This enables the ophthalmologist to evaluate the extent of the dryness. I've had this done a few times and can tell you the dye does not sting at all. The only downside was that my eyes were tinged yellow afterwards and perhaps took longer to return to normal because of the dryness and hence the dye clinging to my eyes.

The second test I had done is called the Schirmer test. This involves placing a strip of filter paper in the middle of the lower eye lids for 5 minutes and then assessing the wetness of the filter paper.

I will never forget this test as it turned out be a very embarrassing and funny situation for me. I had gone for a rheumatology appointment and the consultant wanted to examine me. So I stripped down to undergarments, she examined me and then to my surprise asked if some medical students could take a look. I agreed (thinking not to agree would appear stupid). Anyway after being gawped at, the consultant then wanted to test my eyes for dryness. So my glasses came off and in went the strips in my eyes. As all this was very quick, I had to sit on the edge of the couch, without my clothes on, with two bits of paper hanging out of my eyes and all I could see were the blurry faces of the medical students and the consultant!

As I sat there waiting for the longest 5 minutes of my life to be over, all of a sudden the door opens and in bursts another doctor - I was right in front of her! I don't know who was more shocked her or me! She had come into the wrong room! At this point I felt like laughing (as I'm sure did the medical students). Luckily this interruption reminded the consultant that my 5 minutes were up. My ordeal had finally come to an end!