In-Office Procedures · Diagnostics
Keratograph Dry Eye Analysis
The Oculus Keratograph 5M turns the dry eye workup into images a patient can see. It captures non-invasive tear breakup, infrared meibography, tear meniscus, lipid layer, and objective redness in one chairside unit.
Key points
- Non-invasive Keratograph breakup time (NIKBUT) measured automatically, no fluorescein.
- Infrared meibography (Meibo-Scan) images gland structure and dropout.
- Tear meniscus height and lipid layer interferometry quantify the tear film.
- R-Scan grades bulbar and limbal redness objectively.
- The Crystal TEAR Report compiles findings into a patient-friendly summary.
What it is
The Keratograph 5M is an advanced corneal topographer with a built-in keratometer and a high-resolution color camera. It uses Placido-ring topography with thousands of measuring points, and for dry eye it layers on non-invasive tear film analysis and infrared meibography, so a single unit handles both the cornea and the ocular surface workup.
How it works
White and infrared illumination drive the tear film measurements. Tear breakup time is captured non-invasively under infrared light that the patient cannot see, which removes the glare and reflex tearing that fluorescein can cause. A separate infrared source images the meibomian glands for meibography, interference colors reveal the lipid layer, and video capture lets you assess tear film particle dynamics. The R-Scan module detects conjunctival vessels and grades redness automatically, replacing subjective comparison charts.
Why it matters clinically
Meibomian gland dropout is a leading driver of evaporative dry eye, and meibography lets you see it, grade it, and show it to the patient. The non-invasive breakup time, meniscus, and staining captured here line up with the homeostasis markers used to confirm dry eye, so the device supports both diagnosis and subtyping in one sitting. Oculus product information; consistent with TFOS DEWS III markers.
Where it fits in your workflow
Use it for screening, for subtyping evaporative or aqueous-deficient disease, and for follow-up, where comparing the same measurements over time documents response and builds trust. Because the workup is delegable and non-contact, it slots neatly into a dry eye clinic alongside osmolarity and MMP-9.
Patient communication
The Crystal TEAR Report summarizes the findings in a neat, patient-facing printout. Showing a patient their own gland images and tear film is one of the most reliable ways to drive treatment buy-in and follow-through.
Sources: Oculus Keratograph 5M product information; TFOS DEWS III diagnostic framework.
Showing a patient their own meibography and tear film, rather than describing it, is one of the most reliable ways to drive treatment buy-in.
Frequently asked questions
Do you carry the Keratograph?
Yes. The Oculus Keratograph 5M is available on the Dry Eye Rescue wholesale platform.
Is the tear film analysis really non-invasive?
Yes. Breakup time, meniscus height, and lipid layer are captured with infrared and white light, without instilling fluorescein.
How is meibography graded?
Gland dropout is classified with standardized scales (for example JENVIS), so grading is consistent between visits and between providers.
Does it replace osmolarity and MMP-9?
No, it complements them. The Keratograph covers structure and tear film dynamics; osmolarity and MMP-9 add instability and inflammation.
Is it more than a dry eye tool?
Yes. It is a full topographer with contact lens fitting, redness grading, and pupillometry, so it earns its bench space beyond dry eye.
