What Is a Gland and Tear Evaluation - And Why You Might Need One

If you’ve been struggling with dry, irritated, or watery eyes, you’re not alone. These symptoms often point to an underlying issue with your tear film or oil glands. At Eastern Virginia Eye Associates, our eye doctors in Chesapeake offer advanced diagnostic testing to uncover the root cause of your dry eye symptoms through a comprehensive gland and tear evaluation.

Understanding the Tear Film and Meibomian Glands

Your eyes rely on a delicate balance of oil, water, and mucus to stay lubricated. The meibomian glands, located along the edges of your eyelids, produce the oily layer of your tears that prevents evaporation. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional - a condition known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) - it can lead to chronic dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

Another common issue, blepharitis, involves inflammation of the eyelid margins and can further contribute to gland blockage and poor tear quality. Both conditions are often interconnected and require careful diagnosis to ensure effective treatment.

What’s Included in a Gland and Tear Evaluation?

A gland and tear evaluation is a series of advanced diagnostic tests that assess both the quality and quantity of your tears, as well as the health of your meibomian glands. We utilize the latest technology to deliver a complete picture of your ocular surface health.

•           Meibography: This imaging technique provides a high-resolution view of your meibomian glands, allowing our team to identify gland dropout, blockages, or atrophy that may be contributing to your symptoms.

•           TearLab Osmolarity Testing: The TearLab Test measures the salt concentration (osmolarity) of your tears. High osmolarity levels are a strong indicator of dry eye disease, helping to determine its severity and monitor treatment progress.

•           Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT): This simple yet effective test evaluates how long your tear film remains stable before evaporating. A short tear break-up time typically signals poor tear quality and possible MGD.

•           Eyelid and Lash Imaging: Advanced imaging tools allow us to detect debris, inflammation, or bacterial buildup along the eyelids and lashes.

•           Gland Expression: By gently expressing the glands, we can assess the flow and quality of the oils they produce. This helps confirm whether MGD is the underlying cause of your discomfort and guides the next steps for treatment.

Why a Gland and Tear Evaluation Matters

Without a proper diagnosis, treating dry eye symptoms can feel like guesswork. A comprehensive evaluation allows our eye care team to target the true cause of your discomfort. Identifying these factors early helps prevent long-term damage to the cornea and ensures faster relief through a personalized treatment plan.

Advanced Dry Eye Treatment in Chesapeake

Once your evaluation is complete, our specialists may recommend one or more advanced dry eye treatments in Chesapeake, including:

•           Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy - Reduces inflammation and unclogs meibomian glands.

•           Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy - Gently heats the glands to restore natural oil flow.

•           Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) - Stimulates cellular repair and enhances gland performance.

•           ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) - Deep cleans the eyelids to remove biofilm and bacteria associated with blepharitis.

These non-invasive treatments are designed to improve long-term comfort and tear film stability.

Schedule Your Gland and Tear Evaluation Today

A gland and tear evaluation is the first step toward lasting relief from dry eye symptoms. By understanding the condition of your meibomian glands and tear film, our team can create a customized treatment plan that addresses the root cause.
 

Contact Eastern Virginia Eye Associates to schedule your gland and tear evaluation and start your journey toward lasting dry eye relief. Visit our office in Chesapeake, Virginia, or call (757) 607-4800 to book an appointment today.