Managing the dry eye. Accurate diagnosis is the key.

In patients with symptoms of dry eye, a complete patient history and thorough clinical examination are necessary to determine the exact cause. Laboratory and histologic studies provide supportive evidence of the diagnosis. Treatments include the correction of anatomic abnormalities, protecting the eye from the environment, use of artificial tears and ointments, lid hygiene, punctal occlusion, and tarsorrhaphy. When inflammatory or immunologic processes are involved, local and systemic immunosuppression may be indicated.