Copyright
©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Methodol. Dec 20, 2025; 15(4): 101033
Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.101033
Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.101033
Table 1 Search components and resulting algorithms
Search component | Keywords used |
Diagnostic | "diagnosis" [MeSH Terms] OR "diagnosis" [All Fields] OR "diagnostic" [All Fields] OR "diagnostical" [All Fields] OR "diagnostically" [All Fields] OR "diagnostics" [All Fields] |
Method | "methods" [All Fields] OR "methods" [MeSH Terms] OR "methods" [All Fields] OR "method" [All Fields] OR "methods" [MeSH Subheading] AND "manage" [All Fields] |
Manage | "manage" [All Fields] OR "managed" [All Fields] OR "managements" [All Fields] OR "managements" [All Fields] OR "manager" [All Fields] OR "managers" [All Fields] OR "managers" [All Fields] OR "manages" [All Fields] OR "managing" [All Fields] OR "management" [All Fields] OR "organization and administration" [MeSH Terms] OR ("organization" [All Fields] AND "administration" [All Fields]) OR "organization and administration" [All Fields] OR "management" [All Fields] OR "disease management" [MeSH Terms] OR ("disease" [All Fields] AND "management" [All Fields]) OR "disease management" [All Fields]) |
Dry eye syndromes | ("dry eye syndromes" [MeSH Terms] OR ("dry" [All Fields] AND "eye" [All Fields] AND "syndromes" [All Fields]) OR "dry eye syndromes" [All Fields] OR ("dry" [All Fields] AND "eye" [All Fields]) OR "dry eye" [All Fields])) AND ((ffrft[Filter]) AND (2020: 2024[pdat])). |
Table 2 Diagnostic methods for dry eye curated from sampled records
Method | Ref. | Sample size | Diagnostic rubric |
American-European consensus group classification criteria | Lee et al[48] | 187 serum samples of age matched females | Authors suggest peptides treated with malondialdehyde increase the formation of autoantibodies, suggesting that they have diagnostic utility for primary Sjögren's Syndrome |
Existing data analyses | Acar-Denizli et al[49] | 12084 patients with ESSDAI scores | Combination patterns of two antibodies-anti-Ro/SSA and anti La/SSB was used to define Sjogrens syndrome |
Machine learning algorithm using routine healthcare data | Dros et al[50] | 1411 primary Sjögren's Syndrome patients and 929179 non-primary Sjögren's Syndrome patients | The task entailed employing logistic regression and random forest models for the purpose of categorizing patients. The models used characteristics such as age, gender, medical conditions, symptoms, medication prescriptions, and visits to general practitioners |
Diagnostic criteria by Japanese research committee on severe cutaneous adverse reaction | Sotozono et al[51] | 94 Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis patients with severe ocular complications | The diagnostic criteria for ocular involvement in instances of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis include particular ocular abnormalities, such as the creation of pseudo-membranes and defects in the epithelium. These symptoms are regarded to be high-risk indicators for ocular complications |
DryEyeRhythm mobile app | Inomata et al[52] | 4454 individuals | The diagnostic rubric involved assessing subjective symptoms reported by the participants via the DryEyeRhythm app. The DryEyeRhythm is a mobile application that facilitates real-time monitoring of DED symptoms, allowing for remote symptom tracking and prompt intervention |
Ultrasonographic techniques (grayscale and color Doppler sonography) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography | Xu et al[53] | 161 patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome and 66 non primary Sjögren's Syndrome patients | The diagnostic approach entailed assessing the ultrasonographic characteristics of the parotid and submandibular glands. Ultrasonographic methods, encompasses grayscale and Doppler imaging, to evaluate lacrimal gland structure and vascularity in patients with DED |
Table 3 Ocular surface disease index questionnaire and scoring system1
Category | Questions | Scoring (0-4) |
Ocular symptoms | Dryness, grittiness, discomfort | 0 (None) to 4 (Severe) |
Visual function | Blurred vision, difficulty reading | 0 (None) to 4 (Severe) |
Environmental factors | Wind sensitivity, air conditioning | 0 (None) to 4 (Severe) |
Table 4 Standard patient evaluation of eye dryness questionnaire1
Question type | Symptoms evaluated | Scoring (0-4) |
Frequency | Burning, grittiness, fatigue | 0 (Never) to 4 (Constant) |
Severity | Discomfort level | 0 (None) to 4 (Severe) |
Table 5 McMonnies questionnaire1
Question type | Symptoms evaluated | Scoring (0-4) |
Risk factors | Age, sex, contact lens use, medications, systemic diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s) | Yes/No responses (Binary) |
Symptoms frequency | Dryness, grittiness, burning, excessive tearing | 0 (Never) to 3 (Frequent) |
Symptom severity | Eye discomfort, irritation, redness | 0 (None) to 3 (Severe) |
Triggers | Environmental factors (wind, air condition, smoke), screen time impact | Yes/No responses (Binary) |
Table 6 Management of dry eyes
Category | Ref. | Management tool | Details description |
Management strategies | Akpek et al[118] | Topical cyclosporine 0.1% | A water-free cyclosporine formulation that improves the ocular surface in moderate-to-severe dry eye |
Fogagnolo et al[124] | Hyaluronic acid and ginkgo biloba drops | Effective in improving symptoms, especially post-cataract surgery | |
Wirta et al[131] | Recombinant human nerve growth factor | Promising in treating moderate-to-severe dry eye by enhancing corneal nerve regeneration | |
Hu et al[138] | Mesenchymal stem cells | Shows promise in managing Sjögren's syndrome, potentially aiding in ocular surface repair | |
Surgical options | Wang et al[136] | Punctal cauterization | Heat treatment that is useful for severe dry eye, particularly in preventing scarring |
Ji et al[139] | High-frequency radiowave electrosurgery | Improves conjunctivochalasis, reducing symptoms and improving management outcomes | |
Post-COVID-19 Considerations | Castillo et al[144] | Telehealthcare | Utilized to mitigate DED-linked ocular morbidity, particularly relevant post-COVID-19 |
- Citation: Musa M, Suleman A, Okechukwu C, Bale BI, Gagliano C, D’Esposito F, Zeppieri M. Diagnostic methods for managing dry eyes. World J Methodol 2025; 15(4): 101033
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2222-0682/full/v15/i4/101033.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.101033