Key questions in a dry eye history.

The literature has been reviewed to derive a dry eye history questionnaire. The questions included examine for primary and secondary symptoms as well as assess for increased risk associated with age, sex, contact lens wear, medication use, and systemic and ocular factors that may be associated with dry eye syndromes. At the risk of obtaining responses of reduced validity, the questionnaire, administered by an assistant, may be preferred to direct interrogation for routine screening. Apart from serving as an indication of the presence of a dry eye condition, the questionnaire results may successfully identify individuals who are at risk for developing dry eye problems at a later time, especially those individuals exposed to provocative factors such as contact lens wear. A screening based on questionnaire results will help identify patients requiring further examination for dry eye conditions and associated differential diagnosis.