The TearLab™ Osmolarity system is the first instrument in the next generation of dry eye diagnosis technologies.  Tear osmolaritycan be defined as the concentration of particles in the tears.  Dry Eye is caused by decreased tear production, increased tear evaporation or abnormal lipid production. Each of these causes creates an ocular surface with increased tear osmolarity.  High osmolarity correlates with severe dry eye.  The TearLab™ Osmolarity system is the size of a telephone and absorbs a tiny tear sample to measure the osmolarity in less than 30 seconds.  The TearLab™ Osmolarity insturment will contribute to the diagnosis of dry eye, allowing early therapeutic intervention and better long-term results.

Dry Eye is a common problem of the ocular surface. Symptoms of dry eye include burning, redness, watering, foreign-body sensation, itchiness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.  The TearLab™ Osmolarity system is designed to better qualify and diagnose dry eye through a simple, easy and safe tear osmolarity analysis.  Other clinical methods of dry eye diagnosis are only able to correctly diagnose dry eye 25-33% of the time.  TearLab™ Osmolarity technology has an astonishing predictive value of 87%!

Iowa EyeCare is the only eye care clinic in eastern Iowa and in the Cedar Rapids community to have this new TearLab™ Osmolarity technology.  Iowa EyeCare is now participating in a clinical study to evaluate dry eye and measure the advantages of the TearLab™ Osmolarity system.  Iowa EyeCare has been the leader for innovation and cutting-edge technology in Iowa for over 30 years.

To learn about the TearLab™ Osmolarity system and dry eye  treatment, schedule an appointment with one of the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare.

By Dr. Dennis Francis

A contact lens may occasionally become dislocated from its normal riding position.  Dislocation of a contact lens occurs when the contact lens is dry, when it is fit poorly or, most often, when the eye is rubbed by the lens wearer.   The diagram shown here is a cross-section of the human eye.  Notice that the space between the eye and the lid extends only a short distance toward the back of the eye.  You can see that while a contact lens my become dislocated under the upper or lower lids, it will never become dislodged completely behind the eye.

If you think you may have a contact lens or just  piece of a contact lens dislocated in the eye, seek care immediately.  Dislodged lens materials should be recovered as soon as possible.  Poor lid function, lid tissue irritation, and even infection can result from dislocated contact lens material.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Robins, Iowa, are willing to assist you at any time.  Iowa EyeCare has a doctor on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Please call 319-377-2222 if you need our help.

If you have more questions about contact lenses go to Iowa EyeCare’s Contact Lens FAQ Page.

If you are interested in learning more about LASIK surgery in Cedar Rapids, visit Iowa EyeCare’s LASIK FAQ Page.

By Dr. David Christensen

Artificial Tears

Most of us experience dry eye from time to time.  Especially during the Iowa winter months.  Most people experience symptoms either in the car, at work, or at night watching TV or reading a book.  If you go to the local supermarket, you’ll find a whole wall full of eyedrops.  It can be difficult trying to decide which eye drops to buy.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare can help you best manage your dry-eye symptoms.  Sometimes we recommend over-the-counter artificial tears, environmental changes, dietary changes, and other times we might decide that a prescription medication or other treatment options are most beneficial.  Multiple treatment modalities are needed because individuals experience dry eye for different reasons. Dry eye may be due to poor lid function, poor aqueous production, poor eye-lipid production, or excessive tear drainage.

Keep in mind that all eyedrops are not created equal.  Lubricating eyedrops that are designed to combat dry eye, do so in different ways.  Before spending your money on an eye drop that may not work for you, schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors at any of our Robins, Marion, or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, locations.

You can also learn more about Dry Eye on the Iowa EyeCare website.