InflammaDry is a leading test for measuring inflammation on the surface of your eyes, helping eye care professionals diagnose and treat dry eye disease effectively. Used alongside standard exams, this quick in-office test provides vital information for tailored treatment plans.
InflammaDry is a quick, in-office test that detects inflammation on the surface of your eyes, a key factor in many cases of dry eye disease. Understanding this test helps you and your eye care professional get accurate diagnoses and better treatment tailored to your needs.
InflammaDry is a non-invasive diagnostic test designed to measure inflammation on your eye’s surface, providing objective information that complements traditional dry eye exams.
The test detects a protein called matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which increases when your eyes are inflamed. Elevated MMP-9 levels indicate ocular surface inflammation contributing to dry eye symptoms.
During the test, a small sterile swab collects a sample of your tears from the lower eyelid. The sample reacts with a test cassette that shows results in about 10 minutes, similar to a home pregnancy test.
Quidel Corporation created InflammaDry to provide eye care professionals a standardized way to objectively identify inflammation in dry eye disease. The test has been used clinically worldwide for over a decade.
Eye doctors often use InflammaDry alongside other evaluations, such as tear film analysis and gland imaging, to fully understand your dry eye condition and customize treatment.
The procedure is quick, painless, and requires no special preparation. It is suitable for adults and children and can be done during a routine office visit without numbing drops.
This test is recommended for patients with ongoing eye discomfort or irritation, especially when symptoms persist despite initial treatments like artificial tears.
Individuals with autoimmune conditions (such as Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis), allergies, contact lens wearers, and those exposed to dry or windy environments may have higher risk of inflammatory dry eye.
Regular dry eye tests often focus on tear production but may miss inflammation. InflammaDry fills this gap by detecting inflammation even when tears are normal.
The test is particularly useful before eye surgeries like LASIK or cataract procedures to identify and treat inflammation that could affect healing.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause and environmental factors such as pollution or low humidity can worsen inflammation, making InflammaDry especially relevant in these cases.
The test involves a simple, painless process to collect and analyze tear samples during your office visit, with results available immediately.
A technical staff member gently swabs the inside of your lower eyelid to collect tears. The swab is placed in a test device that reveals inflammation status within about 10 minutes through visual lines.
Most patients feel only a slight, brief touch with no discomfort or need for numbing drops. The test is quick and well tolerated, including in children and sensitive eyes.
A positive result indicates elevated inflammation and may mean you need prescription anti-inflammatory treatments. A negative result suggests other causes such as tear quantity or quality issues might be involved.
Your eye care provider will discuss results and recommend treatment options or further assessments. Regular follow-ups may be scheduled to track treatment progress.
InflammaDry can be repeated to measure how well treatment is controlling inflammation or to reassess if symptoms return.
InflammaDry enables faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment personalization, helping protect long-term eye health and improving quality of life.
Results are available in about 10 minutes, offering a quick alternative to traditional lab tests and allowing prompt treatment decisions.
Identifying inflammation helps your provider select targeted therapies such as prescription drops, supplements, warm compresses, or environmental adjustments.
Early detection of inflammation prevents scarring, worsening dry eye, and vision complications that can occur with untreated ocular surface inflammation.
For patients preparing for eye surgery, controlling inflammation beforehand improves healing, recovery time, and overall outcomes.
By tailoring treatment based on test results, patients often experience quicker relief, clearer vision, and better comfort during daily activities.
If you have symptoms of dry eyes, discuss InflammaDry testing with your eye care professional to get a clear diagnosis and targeted treatment. Along with proper medical care, eye-friendly habits like regular breaks from screens, allergy management, hydration, and avoiding dry environments support healthy eyes.
If you're experiencing dry eye symptoms, contact a top optometrist or ophthalmologist near you for an InflammaDry test. This quick and painless procedure can help identify inflammation and lead to personalized treatment options, improving your comfort and quality of life. Your eye health is important—don’t hesitate to reach out for help today!
If you're experiencing dry eye symptoms, contact a top optometrist or ophthalmologist near you for an InflammaDry test. This quick and painless procedure can help identify inflammation and lead to personalized treatment options, improving your comfort and quality of life. Your eye health is important—don’t hesitate to reach out for help today!
InflammaDry test detects ocular inflammation crucial for diagnosing dry eye disease effectively. Find a top optometrist near you to learn more!
