Dry eyes are an epidemic. Why? We don’t know.
Recently it has been classified as a disease, and it affects twenty million Americans. I practice in an area where I see a significant foreign population. This disease is in no way unique to Americans.
Dry eye was recently
studied carefully. A condition cannot be defined by any single study in any
science, but there are two studies that have revealed much to eye doctors:
Delphi Dry Eye Panel (2006) and the International Dry Eye Workshop
Doctors usually diagnose by reviewing symptoms then performing test that provide signs. These signs taken from special testing provide the foundation for the diagnosis of
most diseases of the eyes or any other part of the body. Interesting though,
dry eyes are not so easy. If the doctor has both signs and symptoms then his
job and the diagnosis of dry eye is much easier. But the doctor may listen to
your symptoms, which may be significant, yet be unable to find special testing
signs that provide a foundation for the diagnosis of dry eye. Consequently he
must give symptoms more importance than the findings of special tests. You can read more in the: American Optometric Association explanation. Dan David, O.D.