Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.101033
Revised: February 17, 2025
Accepted: February 27, 2025
Published online: December 20, 2025
Processing time: 335 Days and 23.2 Hours
Dry eye disease (DED) represents a multifactorial condition characterized by ocular discomfort and visual disturbances. The management of DED relies heavily on accurate diagnosis to tailor effective treatments. Diagnostic approaches encompass both subjective and objective assessments.
To review the diagnostic methods used in the process of dry eye disease management.
A comprehensive review of diagnostic approaches for dry eye was performed using scientific databases. Studies published within the last four years were considered. Studies were excluded if a full text was absent or the article was not written in English. Articles were assessed for relevancy, and a total of 107 studies were selected. The selection method used a systematic methodology, which guaranteed an exhaustive assessment of the diagnostic techniques reported in current literature. The study adheres to principles for systematic reviews ensuring dependability and accuracy. The studies were assessed for emphasize on both novel traditional and diagnostic methods for dry eye disease management.
Key objective tests include tear break-up time, which evaluates tear film stability; fluorescein and lissamine green staining, which assess ocular surface damage and inflammation; tear osmolarity measurement, indicative of tear film quality; and tear volume assessment via Schirmer's test, which evaluates tear production. Advanced imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography and meibography offer detailed anatomical insights into the ocular surface and meibomian glands, aiding in the diagnosis of underlying structural abnormalities. Moreover, emerging technologies such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 testing and inflammatory biomarkers provide additional diagnostic precision, particularly in identifying inflammatory components of DED.
Integrating a combination of subjective and objective diagnostic tools allows clinicians to comprehensively assess the condition, tailor treatment plans, and monitor therapeutic efficacy. Continued advancements in diagnostic technologies promise to enhance our understanding and management of this prevalent ocular condition.
Core Tip: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye disease (DED), is a common ocular illness with different incidence rates worldwide. The complicated etiology of DED involves tear film instability and can cause pain, decreased vision, and ocular surface damage. Evaporative and aqueous-deficient dry eye have different causes. Differentiating between these types is often required for appropriate diagnosis and effective therapy. A detailed diagnosis is needed as Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune condition, is connected to a type of DED. Recent advances aim to standardize diagnosis and improve therapy by addressing the causes of DED.