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Dry Eye

How Is Dry Eye Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing dry eye disease is a simple process that uses routine tests.

Lauren Smith, MABrian Clista, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD
Updated on August 6, 2025
Featuring Danielle Trief, MDReviewed by Brian Clista, MD | August 6, 2025

When you start experiencing symptoms of dry eye disease, it’s logical to start using over-the-counter artificial tears. This treatment may not be enough for many people. Plus, using standard artificial tears too often may make dry eye worse.

Getting a comprehensive eye exam and learning your diagnosis may help you find a more appropriate treatment.

“There's a lot of treatment available for dry eye, and sometimes patients don't know about everything that's available,” says Danielle Trief, MD, Ophthalmologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Brian Clista, MD
Reviewed by:
Brian Clista, MD
Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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