Understand Your Dry Eye Symptoms In About 3 Minutes
A short, clinically based questionnaire to help you prepare for a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with our team of dry eye specialists at Rhode Island Eye Institute.
Assess Your Dry Eye Symptoms
The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is a 12-item questionnaire used by ophthalmologists and optometrists to gauge dry eye symptom severity. Answer each question, then receive your score and educational guidance to bring to your visit.
What You Will Receive
Your OSDI scorewith a severity band: Normal, Mild, Moderate, or Severe.
Pattern analysisacross four dry eye signal groups based on your answers.
Educational guidanceon care steps that your ophthalmologist may discuss with you.
Next stepsfor scheduling a comprehensive evaluation at Rhode Island Eye Institute.
Ocular surface testing and meibomian gland evaluation
Scleral and moisture-retention options
Plans built around your symptoms and eye health
Eyes that are sensitive to light?
Think about the past week. Select how often this occurred.
OSDI subscale: Ocular Symptoms. Light sensitivity is associated with tear film instability and ocular surface irritation.
Eyes that feel gritty?
A sandy or gritty sensation is one of the most common dry eye symptoms.
OSDI subscale: Ocular Symptoms. Gritty sensation is associated with evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Painful or sore eyes?
Include any burning, stinging, or aching discomfort in or around your eyes.
OSDI subscale: Ocular Symptoms. Burning or pain may suggest inflammation of the ocular surface.
Reading?
Did dry eye symptoms limit your ability to read books, documents, or other printed material?
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Sustained reading reduces blink rate and accelerates tear evaporation.
Driving at night?
Did dry eye symptoms make it difficult or uncomfortable to drive, especially after dark?
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Night driving difficulty often reflects tear film instability.
Working with a computer or screen?
Include laptops, tablets, phones, and other screens.
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Extended screen use reduces blink rate and increases tear evaporation.
Watching TV?
Did dry eye symptoms make watching television uncomfortable or difficult to sustain?
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Sustained near-focus tasks reduce blink rate.
Wearing contact lenses?
If you wear contact lenses, did dry eye symptoms make wearing them difficult?
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Contact lens wear is a documented dry eye risk factor.
Blurred vision?
Did you notice blurry or fluctuating vision that improved when you blinked?
OSDI subscale: Vision-Related Function. Blurred vision that clears with blinking is a hallmark of tear film instability.
Areas with air conditioning?
Did your eyes feel dry, irritated, or uncomfortable in air-conditioned spaces?
OSDI subscale: Environmental Triggers. Air conditioning lowers ambient humidity and accelerates tear evaporation.
Areas that are windy?
Did wind or strong air movement make your eyes uncomfortable, teary, or irritated?
OSDI subscale: Environmental Triggers. Wind significantly increases evaporative stress on the tear film.
Areas with low humidity (very dry conditions)?
Did dry environments, like heated rooms in winter, airplanes, or arid climates, worsen your symptoms?
OSDI subscale: Environmental Triggers. Low-humidity environments reduce ambient water vapor and stress the tear film.
Calculating your score...
Your results are being processed.
Your Dry Eye Signal Pattern
OSDI subscale signals mapped to four common dry eye signal groups. Select any card for clinical context. Educational only, not a clinical subtype diagnosis.
Evaporative / Meibomian Signals
Most common dry eye pattern. Meibomian gland blockage can reduce the lipid layer that prevents tear evaporation. Your physician may evaluate the eyelids and meibomian glands during a comprehensive exam.
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Inflammatory Component
Ocular surface inflammation can act as both cause and consequence of dry eye. Treatment decisions are physician-directed and may include prescription anti-inflammatory drops if appropriate.
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Aqueous Deficiency Signals
Occurs when the lacrimal glands produce insufficient tear volume. Some patients with significant aqueous deficiency have related systemic conditions worth discussing with your provider.
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Environmental Sensitivity
Section C triggers (air conditioning, wind, low humidity) accelerate tear evaporation. Humidity control and screen-time adjustments often help.
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Care Categories To Discuss With Our Team
Educational steps a Rhode Island Eye Institute physician may consider as part of a stepwise dry eye plan. Treatment decisions are always physician-directed.
Our Team Of Dry Eye Specialists
Fellowship-trained ophthalmologists and specialty-lens optometrists collaborate on your ocular surface care at Rhode Island Eye Institute.
Fellowship-trained corneal specialist (University of Minnesota). Medical and surgical management of dry eye, keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, and ocular surface disease.
Scleral lens fitting since 2008. Moisture-retention lens strategies for moderate-to-severe dry eye, myopia control, and keratoconus. Past President, Rhode Island Optometric Association.
40 years of practice experience in RGP, multifocal, toric, and scleral lens fitting for keratoconus and dry eye management.
Comprehensive dry eye evaluation, eyelid hygiene guidance, and collaborative co-management with our cornea and oculoplastic teams.
ASOPRS-fellow oculoplastic surgeon. Consulted for eyelid-related contributors to dry eye (blepharitis sequelae, ectropion, entropion, ptosis) when indicated.
Ready To Discuss Your Results With Our Team?
Your assessment is most valuable alongside a comprehensive evaluation by our team of dry eye specialists. Schedule a consultation at the Rhode Island Eye Institute location closest to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dry eye disease and the OSDI assessment at Rhode Island Eye Institute.
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