On this page
If you are wondering whether to book a dry eye consultation, or have already booked and want to know what to expect, this page is for you. Here you will find what happens before, during and after the visit, and what is worth bringing so that the visit is as useful as possible.
Before the visit
A little preparation saves time and helps us reach a more accurate diagnosis. It helps to bring:
- A list of all your drops and medicines: eye drops, gels and ointments, and also all the medicines you take by mouth, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. Some medicines affect the tears. You can also bring the bottles themselves.
- Glasses: your regular glasses and any reading glasses you use.
- Previous tests: visit summaries from eye doctors, referrals and test results, and also letters from other doctors if you have a general condition such as Sjögren's, thyroid disease or a bone marrow transplant.
Contact lenses: if you wear contact lenses, follow the instructions you receive when you book your appointment. Lenses affect some of the tests, so it is important to know in advance what to do.
It is also worth thinking in advance about when the symptoms started, what makes them worse (air conditioning, screens, the end of the day), and what you have tried so far. If you find it helpful to organise your thoughts beforehand, you can use the symptom questionnaire on the Mitzmutz site. It is not required, but some people find it helps them describe their symptoms at the visit.
During the visit
A conversation
The visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms, how they affect your daily life, treatments you have tried and your general health. Questions about other conditions, eye surgery and medicines are not idle curiosity: they help identify the cause of the dryness.
A questionnaire
You will be asked to fill in a short symptom questionnaire. It records the severity and makes it possible to see at later visits whether there is improvement.
Tests
The examination includes a slit lamp examination (a microscope for examining the eye), fluorescein staining (a harmless yellow-orange dye) and measurement of tear break-up time, the Schirmer test (a thin paper strip that measures the amount of tears), assessment of the meibomian glands with gentle pressure, and examination of the eyelid margins for Demodex. Most of the tests are not painful. Details are on the dry eye testing page.
Questions worth asking
The visit is also your time to ask questions. It is worth writing them down in advance, for example:
- What type of dry eye do I have, and what is causing it?
- What can I do at home, and how long should I give it before being checked again?
- Is there an in-clinic treatment that suits me, and what are its benefits and limitations?
- Could one of my medicines be affecting my eyes?
- Which signs mean I should see a doctor quickly?
After the visit
At the end of the visit you will receive an explanation of the findings: what type of dry eye you have, and what is most likely causing your symptoms. Based on this, a personal treatment plan is built. It usually combines daily care at home, such as warming and cleaning the eyelids and suitable drops, and sometimes also in-clinic treatments. The list of treatments is on the Dry Eye Clinic, Haifa page.
Dry eye is usually a long-term condition, so follow-up is part of the treatment. At the follow-up visit we check whether the symptoms and findings have improved, and adjust the plan as needed. If there is a general condition linked to the dryness, information will also be sent to the doctor treating it, with your consent.
Cost
The cost is set and discussed at the consultation, according to the treatment that suits you.
When to see a doctor straight away: a dry eye consultation is not suitable for urgent conditions. Severe eye pain, a sudden drop in vision, a very red eye with sensitivity to light, or an eye injury or a chemical getting into the eye need an urgent visit to an eye emergency department.
Health funds (kupot holim)
For Leumit and Meuhedet members, the first consultation may be under an arrangement with the fund; please check with your fund before the visit. There is no arrangement with Maccabi or Clalit, and their supplementary plans do not cover or reimburse treatment with Prof. Michael Mimouni. All treatments at the clinic are private.
How to book
The consultation is by appointment. Contact us on WhatsApp or fill in the form on this page, and we will get back to you to arrange a time and give you the instructions for the visit.
Want a basic explanation first?Want to organise your symptoms before the visit? The questionnaire on the Mitzmutz site
Frequently asked questions
Are the tests painful?
Most of the tests are not painful. Some, such as the test of tear quantity or gentle pressure on the eyelids, may be slightly uncomfortable for a short time.
Should I stop my drops before the visit?
Do not stop prescription medicines or drops without instructions. If there is a special instruction about lubricating drops on the day of the visit, it will be given when you book your appointment.
What about contact lenses?
Follow the instructions you receive when you book your appointment. Contact lenses affect some of the tests, so it is important to know in advance what to do.
How much does the consultation cost?
The cost is set and discussed at the consultation, according to the treatment that suits you.
Is the consultation covered by my health fund?
For Leumit and Meuhedet members, the first consultation may be under an arrangement with the fund (please check with your fund). There is no arrangement with Maccabi or Clalit, and their supplementary plans do not cover or reimburse treatment with Prof. Michael Mimouni. All treatments are private.
Home care not enough? We can look into it.
At the dry eye clinic in Haifa we find out what is causing the dryness and build a personal treatment plan.
The information on this site is general only. It is not medical advice and does not replace an examination by an eye doctor.