Chronic Dry Eye Information:

Diagnosis of Chronic Dry Eye

The accurate measurement and treatment of Chronic Dry Eye can be difficult because this condition can exist without evidence of ocular surface damage. And patients often complain of diverse symptoms.

The Ocular Surface Disease Index© (OSDI©) is a validated instrument accepted by the FDA for use in diagnosis of Chronic Dry Eye. This questionnaire provides rapid and accurate assessment of range and severity of dry eye symptoms, as well as impact of symptoms on patient’s performance of daily functions.

Other tests used in Chronic Dry Eye diagnosis include

• Schirmer test – used to measure ocular moisture that collects over a specific period of time
• Staining – used to highlight areas of possible damage to the ocular surface
• Slit lamp examination – used to determine changes in the ocular surface. Many times this is used in conjunction with staining

OSDI©: A Questionnaire Providing Rapid Assessment of Dry Eye Disease and Its Impact on Vision-Related Functioning

Validated Instrument Accepted by the FDA

To facilitate the screening and diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease, the following Ocular Surface Disease Index© (OSDI©) provides rapid and accurate assessment of

• Range of symptoms
• Severity of symptoms
• Impact of symptoms on patient’s performance of daily functions

Simply ask your patient the 12 questions on the OSDI©, and circle the number in the box that best represents the patient’s answers. Then, follow the easy instructions for calculating the total OSDI© score.

Click here to open up a printable version (Adobe Acrobat PDF) of the OSDI©.

Reference:
Schiffman RM, Christianson MD, Jacobsen G, et al. Reliability and validity of the Ocular Surface Disease Index©. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:615-621.

When patients were grouped according to composite disease severity scores, the mean OSDI scores were 36 +/-23.1 for the severe group, 18 +/-17.1 for the mild to moderate group, and 5 +/-6.6 in the normal group.