The constant irritation of dry, gritty, or watery eyes can be frustrating—especially when over-the-counter eye drops don’t bring lasting relief. If you’ve reached a point where symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it’s time to go beyond guesswork. At Custom Eye Care at the Rim, we offer comprehensive in-office dry eye evaluations to identify the cause of your discomfort and build a personalized treatment plan.
Let’s explore what happens during your first dry eye visit and how we help you find real, long-term relief.
A Personalized Conversation Comes First
Every dry eye evaluation begins with an in-depth case history. Dr. Elaine and her team take the time to learn how dry eye is affecting you—from lifestyle and symptoms to medications or health conditions that may be contributing.
“We’ll be doing a lot of listening and a lot of talking,” said Dr. Elaine. “It’s a slightly longer visit than a typical exam, but we’re building the foundation for a treatment plan that works.”
This consultation also helps determine whether your dry eye is primarily due to meibomian gland dysfunction, environmental factors, medications, or systemic health issues like autoimmune disease.
How Long Will the Visit Take?
Plan to spend about 30 to 45 minutes during your initial dry eye evaluation. Most patients return within 1 to 4 weeks for a follow-up to assess treatment progress and make any necessary adjustments. This step-by-step approach ensures that care is tailored to your specific needs—and not just a one-size-fits-all solution.
What Kinds of Tests Will Be Done?
To get a clear picture of your tear film health and eye surface, we perform several non-invasive diagnostic tests:
Tear Breakup Time
This test involves placing a drop of fluorescein dye on the eye to evaluate how quickly your tears break apart after blinking. A short tear breakup time can signal instability in the tear film, often linked to dry eye or inflammation on the surface of the eye.
Schirmer’s Test
Schirmer’s test helps estimate your tear volume by placing a small paper strip under your lower eyelid. “It measures the watery part of your tears,” explained Dr. Elaine. “We may use anesthetic to make it more comfortable, but you’ll still feel it a bit.” Results from this test offer clues about how much moisture your eyes produce naturally.
Meibography
Meibography is a powerful imaging tool that lets us look closely at your meibomian glands—tiny oil glands along your eyelids that help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. “If these glands aren’t working well, your tear film breaks down faster,” said Dr. Elaine. Understanding their condition helps us pinpoint whether your dry eye is evaporative in nature.
Is Any of This Painful?
Most dry eye tests are quick and painless. You may feel mild awareness during Schirmer’s testing, but overall, discomfort is minimal. Every step is explained as it happens, so there are no surprises.
And when treatment begins—whether it's artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or in-office procedures like OptiLight—you’ll get detailed instructions on what to expect.
Could There Be an Underlying Condition?
Yes. Some patients may show signs of an autoimmune condition like Sjögren’s syndrome, which can significantly affect tear production. If Dr. Elaine suspects a systemic issue, she may collaborate with your primary care provider or refer you to a rheumatologist for further testing.
When Will I Get My Diagnosis?
Often, you’ll know before the end of your visit. “Once we talk through your symptoms and start testing, it becomes very clear that dry eye is the culprit,” said Dr. Elaine. The goal is to determine not just that you have dry eye—but what’s causing it and how best to treat it.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation in San Antonio
We understand how disruptive dry eyes can be—from work to sleep to everyday comfort. At Custom Eye Care at the Rim, we take a diagnostic-first approach to give you clarity, answers, and a clear path forward.
Located at 17815 La Cantera Pkwy #111, San Antonio, TX 78257, our team is ready to help. Call us at 210-981-3937 to begin your personalized dry eye care journey.
You don’t have to live with constant irritation—let’s get to the root of the problem and help you feel better.
Saturday hours are available by appointment only as our hours vary*