While dry eye is a condition that optometrists encounter daily, its presentation and severity vary widely, making individual assessment crucial to proper diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic methods ODs have relied on include Schirmer strips and fluorescein staining, though newer technologies are emerging to provide higher sensitivity and specificity. Next year, Reichert plans to bring four new devices for dry eye assessment and treatment to the US market through its recent partnership with SBM Sistemi, an Italian medical equipment manufacturer.

These four dry eye devices from Reichert are expected to hit the US market next year. Click image to enlarge.

The first two—called IDRA and OS1000—assist with ocular surface evaluation, the company says. The IDRA device is designed to evaluate all three layers of the tear film as well as the meibomian glands to help identify the specific type of dry eye disease present and provide personalized treatment recommendations for the patient. Providing a more comprehensive picture of the ocular surface is the OS1000, a corneal topographer that also performs various tests including pupillometry, white-to-white measurement, NIBUT, meibography and several others, Reichert says. Additionally, the OS1000 features keratoconus screening and a contact lens fitting simulation.

The third device the two companies will roll out in the US next year—called the DSLC200—is an anterior imaging camera system compatible with a large catalog of slit lamps, its developers say. By adding a dry eye module (named DEM100) to the camera, Reichert says the system essentially turns your slit lamp into a complete dry eye assessment platform by providing the following exam tools: interferometry, tear meniscus measurement, eye blink assessment, meibography (both standard and 3D), blepharitis evaluation and cylindrical dandruff identification.

Lastly, the Activa device will be an eye mask for MGD and evaporative dry eye that the company says works by heating and stimulating the meibomian glands through micro-vibrations.

For more information and to stay up to date on product availability, visit www.reichert.com/dryeye.