New tool helps better diagnose dry eye disease

Published: Dec. 16, 2015 at 8:53 PM CST|Updated: Sep. 26, 2016 at 5:51 PM CDT
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DECATUR, AL (WAFF) - Athens resident Marilyn McBay says she's worn contacts for more than 50 years.

She started with the hard lenses years ago, but over time she says a problem developed.

"[My eyes] just became very irritated," said McBay. "And I guess with my age or whatever, he started trying different diagnoses, trying to see what was going on, and we finally found a soft contact lens that I could wear."

She was also tested for dry eye using a new machine at Innovative Eye Care, by Dr. Chris D.Teichmiller, who says the new method, called meibography, is great. It allows a map to be made of the eye.

Marilyn says the test was not that tough.

"It was easy. I've never had that done before, but it was easy," she said.

Once the patient is finished with the machine, the doctor will study the results.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is thought to be the leading cause of dry eye disease.  Dr. Teichmiller explains how the gland is supposed to work.

"The Meibomian glands are the glands responsible for producing the oils, and the oily layer is actually responsible for stabilizing the tears so it keeps the tears from evaporating too quickly or drying out too quickly," he said.

Teichmiller says if they are blocked or obstructed in any way, the glands will atrophy and will not grow back.

He says something that helps those glands is as simple as a blink and complete closure while sleeping.

"Patients get into a habit of not closing their eyes or blinking normally. And if your eyes are not closing, these oils cannot get out. And so these glands will get obstructed, they'll get stagnant," he said.

Teichmiller says if they catch them early enough, they can help.

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