Novel device provides rapid measure of tear osmolarity
A new handheld, tear osmolarity device could enhance the convenience and reliability of dry eye screening and monitoring and be more affordable for many practices.
Reviewed by Henry Reis, MD, OD
Quebec-A new handheld, tear osmolarity device (i-Pen, I-MED Pharma) for diagnosis and monitoring of dry eye disease works by measuring electrical impedance in ocular tissues, which is converted by a proprietary algorithm to osmolarity.
Measurements are taken on the inside of the lower eyelid, with the device directly touching the tear-soaked conjunctival tissue.
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Results are obtained quickly and accurately, said Daniel Hofmann, vice president of I-Med Pharma, noting that the device takes 250 readings in 4 seconds and then shows the average on the LCD screen.
Testing is painless and quick and offers several advantages over other means of osmolarity testing as a tool for preliminary screening, as well as ongoing assessment, Hofmann said.
“The doctor will be able to identify the symptoms and then use this as a validation of the symptomology or of the patient’s complaints,” he said. “The doctor will be able to use this device and see right away whether the results fall within the normal or at-risk range or clearly dry eye.
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“And if it does fall into the dry eye or at-risk range, the patient is probably a candidate for further investigation or dry eye testing,” he added. “If the result falls within the normal range, then the problems might be elsewhere.”
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