Exploring the diagnosis gap in dry eye disease

New research suggests that while half of US adults experience symptoms of dry eye disease, fewer than one in five have received a diagnosis

2 min read

A man wearing glasses rubs his eyes and nose while sitting at a desk with a laptop

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Selina Powell

30 October 2025

Research presented at the 43^rd congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (Copenhagen, 12–16 September) has explored the gap between those who experience symptoms of dry eye disease and those who receive a diagnosis.

Dr Piotr Wozniak, a lecturer at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, presented the results of a US survey of 2003 adults.

He shared that half of those surveyed reported frequently experiencing symptoms of eye dryness, only 17% had received a diagnosis from an eye care professional.

Wozniak also presented results from a survey of more than 5000 adults across the UK, France, Germany, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.

The Needs Unmet in Dry Eye: Symptoms, Treatment and Severity study found that 58% of the general population experienced dry eye symptoms.

Wozniak highlighted that this survey found only one in five respondents had received a dry eye disease diagnosis.

"The study explored the patient journey in detail. What stood out was that up to one-third of patients had experienced symptoms for more than five years before seeking professional help,” he said.

“The delay in seeking treatment is concerning, especially since dry eye is a progressive disease and early intervention can prevent a vicious cycle of inflammation,” Wozniak said.