Dry Eye Disease: Hiding in Plain Sight

Dry eye disease is one of the most common ocular surface diseases worldwide, yet it remains one of the most underrecognized conditions affecting eye health.¹ Many people attribute burning, fluctuating vision, eye fatigue, or irritation to a long day, allergies, or increased screen time, without realizing these symptoms may indicate a chronic condition that benefits from professional assessment and management.²

As our understanding of dry eye disease continues to evolve, so too does the profile of those affected. While aging remains an important risk factor, today’s increasingly digital lifestyles mean dry eye is no longer considered a condition that primarily affects older adults.¹

The Changing Face of Dry Eye Disease

For many years, dry eye disease was largely associated with aging. Although tear production and tear film quality naturally change over time, age is only one of many factors that contribute to dry eye disease.¹

Today’s visual demands have shifted dramatically. Adults and children spend hours each day using computers, smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. During prolonged screen use, blink frequency decreases, contributing to increased tear evaporation and tear film instability.¹

As a result, eye care professionals are seeing dry eye disease across a broader range of ages and lifestyles than ever before.¹ Screen use may not be the sole cause of dry eye disease, but it has become an increasingly important contributor to ocular surface discomfort and dry eye symptom prevalence.¹

Understanding Dry Eye Disease

The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) defines dry eye disease as a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of tear film homeostasis, accompanied by ocular symptoms.²

In simple terms, dry eye disease develops when the eyes do not produce enough tears, when tears evaporate too quickly, or when the tear film becomes unstable.² Because tears play an essential role in protecting and nourishing the ocular surface while maintaining clear vision, disruption of the tear film can significantly affect both comfort and visual quality.²

Why Dry Eye Often Goes Unrecognized

One of the reasons dry eye disease is often described as “hiding in plain sight” is that its symptoms are frequently dismissed as part of everyday life.

Individuals commonly report:

• Burning or stinging
• Eye fatigue
• Fluctuating or blurry vision
• Redness
• Dryness or grittiness
• Excessive watering
• Light sensitivity²

Nearly one in three people worldwide are affected by dry eye disease, yet many remain undiagnosed.¹ Early recognition of symptoms is an important step toward appropriate assessment and management.

Who Is at Risk?

Dry eye disease can affect anyone, but several factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including:¹

• Increasing age
• Extended digital device use
• Contact lens wear
• Environmental factors such as wind, air conditioning, and low humidity
• Hormonal changes linked to menopause or pregnancy
• Certain systemic medications
• Autoimmune disease
• Previous ocular surgery

For many individuals, dry eye disease develops from a combination of these factors rather than a single cause.

Why Early Screening Matters

Because many symptoms of dry eye disease overlap with those of allergies, digital eye strain, or general eye fatigue, the condition often goes unrecognized.

One of the most widely used screening tools is the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI^®), a validated questionnaire that helps evaluate both the frequency of dry eye symptoms and their impact on vision-related activities.⁴ The full OSDI questionnaire consists of 12 questions, while abbreviated six-question versions may be used as a quick screening tool in some clinical settings.⁴

While the OSDI^® is an effective way to identify symptoms consistent with dry eye disease, it is not a diagnostic test. A comprehensive examination by an eye care professional is required to confirm a diagnosis and determine the underlying cause of symptoms.²

A Personalized Approach to Management

Because dry eye disease is multifactorial, effective management rarely relies on a single intervention.³ Instead, management plans are tailored to each individual’s signs, symptoms, and underlying causes.

Depending on clinical findings, management strategies may include:

• Supporting tear film stability
• Maintaining ocular surface health
• Improving eyelid hygiene
• Addressing meibomian gland dysfunction
• Modifying environmental or lifestyle factors
• Nutritional support where appropriate
• Lubricating eye drops and other therapeutic interventions recommended by an eye care professional

A comprehensive, stepped approach allows management to evolve alongside the individual’s needs.³

The Important Role of Eye Care Professionals

Comprehensive assessment allows eye care professionals to evaluate the ocular surface, determine the underlying contributors to disease, and develop evidence-based management plans tailored to each individual.³

As research continues to advance our understanding of dry eye disease, early detection and ongoing monitoring remain essential components of successful long-term management.³

Advancing Dry Eye Care Through Innovation

For more than 37 years, I-MED Pharma has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of dry eye disease and ocular surface disease. As a proudly Canadian company, I-MED Pharma supports eye care professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of ocular surface management solutions, educational resources, and ongoing research and innovation.

By combining scientific research, clinical collaboration, and education, I-MED Pharma remains committed to improving awareness of one of the world’s most common, yet often overlooked, ocular surface diseases.