Dry Eye Diagnostic & Treatment Equipment
Dry eye disease is one of the most common conditions walking into an eye-care practice, and it is a clinical workflow that rewards purpose-built equipment. Dry eye equipment falls into two jobs: diagnosing and classifying the disease, then treating it. Because the majority of cases are evaporative and driven by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) rather than pure aqueous deficiency, the goal of a good dry eye workup is to image the meibomian glands and tear film, identify the subtype, and match it to the right therapy. Getting that classification right is what turns dry eye from a frustrating chair-time problem into a repeatable, profitable service line.
US Ophthalmic assembles a complete dry eye lineup for ODs, MDs, and clinic and lab owners, built around our own EZER brand of tear-film analyzers and topographers and complemented by carried diagnostic and treatment systems from Tomey, E-Swin, and SBM Sistemi. As a US-based equipment provider, not a reseller, we stand behind every dry eye device with an in-house technical and repair department, genuine spare parts, and US warranty and service, so the instrument you install stays in service for the long run. Request a quote on any model below for current pricing, configuration options, and new-versus-refurbished availability.
How to choose dry eye equipment
- Diagnose before you treat: The most important decision in dry eye is classification. Prioritize a device that images the meibomian glands (meibography) and evaluates the tear film, so you can distinguish evaporative/MGD from aqueous-deficient disease and target therapy accordingly rather than guessing.
- Diagnostic, treatment, or both: Decide which side of the workflow you are equipping. A mature dry eye service usually pairs a diagnostic analyzer for objective assessment and documentation with an in-office treatment device, so patients can be worked up and treated under one roof.
- Meibography and tear-film imaging quality: Look at the range of assessments a diagnostic unit performs: infrared meibography, non-invasive tear break-up time, lipid-layer interferometry, and tear meniscus height. Analyzing the lipid, aqueous, and mucin layers separately, as the Sapphire line does, gives a fuller subtype picture than a single measurement.
- Workflow, footprint, and throughput: Choose between a dedicated dry eye analyzer and a multifunction unit. A standalone system like Sapphire keeps a focused dry eye station, while a multifunction unit such as the Tomey MR-6000 folds refraction, keratometry, topography, and dry eye analysis into one high-throughput device to save space and chair time.
- Treatment modality: light-based vs thermal: In-office therapy comes in two main forms. Light-based systems such as the E-Eye IRPL deliver intense regulated pulsed light aimed at the inflammation associated with MGD, while thermal eye-mask devices such as Activa warm the glands and apply automated expression. Consider patient comfort, candidacy, and consumables for each.
- Reporting, patient engagement, and service support: Dedicated dry eye software with printable reports and follow-up tools helps patients understand their disease and see progress, which supports treatment uptake. Equally important, buy from a provider with in-house repair, spare parts, and US warranty so downtime does not stall your dry eye clinic.
Dry eye models we carry
Our dry eye range spans objective diagnosis and in-office treatment. The EZER Sapphire tear-film analyzers and the Onyx topographer handle classification and imaging, the Tomey MR-6000 folds dry eye analysis into a multifunction workflow, and the E-Eye IRPL and Activa deliver light-based and thermal therapy. The comparison below uses real models to help you match a device to your clinical goal.
| Model | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sapphire A+ (EZER) | Tear-film analyzer (diagnostic) | Full dry eye subtyping across the lipid, aqueous, and mucin layers with meibography and interferometry |
| Sapphire A (EZER) | Dry eye imaging (diagnostic) | Core meibography, tear meniscometry, and tear-film imaging for a growing dry eye service |
| Onyx (EZER) | Corneal topographer with dry eye module | Practices combining topography and contact-lens fitting with tear-film and meibography assessment in one unit |
| MR-6000 (Tomey) | Multifunction diagnostic unit | High-throughput clinics wanting refraction, topography, and dry eye analysis at a single station |
| E-Eye IRPL (E-Swin) | Light-based (IRPL) treatment | Non-invasive in-office therapy targeting the inflammation linked to MGD and evaporative dry eye |
| Activa (SBM Sistemi) | Thermal treatment eye-mask | In-office warming and automated meibomian gland expression for evaporative dry eye |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate devices to diagnose and treat dry eye? Usually yes. Diagnostic systems such as the EZER Sapphire analyzers, the Onyx topographer, and the Tomey MR-6000 classify the disease and document the tear film and meibomian glands, while treatment devices such as the E-Eye IRPL and Activa deliver therapy. Many practices start with a diagnostic unit to build the service and demonstrate need, then add an in-office treatment device. Both can be quoted together.
What is meibography and why does it matter when choosing dry eye equipment? Meibography is infrared imaging of the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which produce the oily lipid layer of the tear film. Because meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause of evaporative dry eye, meibography lets you see gland structure and dropout objectively. A device with meibography, such as the Sapphire line, Onyx, or MR-6000, helps you confirm the dry eye subtype rather than relying on symptoms alone.
How is IRPL treatment different from a thermal eye-mask device? The E-Eye IRPL uses intense regulated pulsed light, delivering precise light pulses to the periorbital area to address the inflammation associated with MGD. Activa is a thermal device that warms the meibomian glands and applies automated expression to help clear the glands. They target evaporative dry eye by different mechanisms, and some clinics use them as complementary parts of a treatment protocol. Patient candidacy and comfort differ, so we can help you scope the right fit.
Can dry eye analysis be built into a multifunction unit, or do I need a dedicated analyzer? Both approaches work. A dedicated analyzer like Sapphire A+ gives the deepest, layer-by-layer tear-film assessment and keeps a focused dry eye station. A multifunction unit like the Tomey MR-6000 folds dry eye analysis in alongside refraction, keratometry, topography, and more, which suits busier clinics that want fewer instruments and faster throughput. The right choice depends on your volume, space, and how central dry eye is to your practice.
Do you offer new and refurbished dry eye equipment, and what about warranty and service? We offer new dry eye devices across our EZER and carried lines, and refurbished options may be available depending on model and inventory. Every unit is backed by our in-house technical and repair department, genuine spare parts, and US warranty and service, so you are supported after installation, not just at the sale. Request a quote and we will confirm current availability, configuration, and pricing.
