The dry eye evaluation
A visit that measures before it suggests
A dry eye evaluation is a long, unhurried visit for people whose eyes feel dry, gritty, tired or watery. It takes about 45 minutes.
You leave knowing what we found, what the options are and what each one costs you, in writing. If you are also due for a routine eye exam, ask when you book, and we explain how the two are billed.
What happens
Five steps, in this order
- 01
Step 1: We ask about your days
Screens, contact lenses, where you work and live, and what you take. It is a conversation, and nothing here is a test.
- 02
Step 2: We measure your tear film
Dariush takes pictures of your tear film and the glands in your eyelids with an imaging camera, and records how often you blink.
- 03
Step 3: Dr. Cullen looks closely
She uses a slit lamp, a microscope for the eye, and a drop of dye that shows dry spots, to see the surface of the eye and the edges of the lids.
- 04
Step 4: We check that it is only dry eye
The same visit checks that nothing else is behind your symptoms, so a different problem isn't missed.
- 05
Step 5: We talk it through
You see the pictures, hear what they mean and choose what to try. Anything you pay for is agreed in writing first.
Before you come
How it is billed
A dry eye visit is usually billed to your medical insurance. The office checks your benefits first. Anything you pay yourself comes with a written estimate.
How fees workWhat to bring
Your glasses, your contact lenses and cases, the drops you use now and your insurance cards. If you wear lenses, wear them to the visit.
Who you see
Dr. Cullen, with Dariush taking your measurements first. Both are in the office every weekday.
- Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, a chemical splash or an eye injury needs care now. Call our office right away or go to an emergency room. If you can't reach us, call 911.
About the evaluation
Do I have to stop wearing my contact lenses first?
No. Wear them to the visit if you usually do, and bring the case. We look at how they sit and how they feel to you.
Will the tests hurt?
The camera and the slit lamp use bright light, and the dye is a single drop. Tell us at any point if you want a break.
Do I get a copy of my results?
Yes. You see the pictures at the visit, and we give you a summary in writing.
Book a dry eye evaluation
Choose a time online, or call the office. We check your benefits before you come.