Medical Terminology for Dry Eyes
The medical term for dry eyes is "dry eye syndrome," also known as "dry eye disease" or "keratoconjunctivitis sicca." 1
Formal Definition
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 2024 Preferred Practice Pattern, dry eye syndrome (also known as dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca) refers to a group of disorders of the tear film that are due to reduced tear production and/or tear film instability, associated with ocular discomfort and/or visual symptoms and inflammatory disease of the ocular surface. 1
Terminology Usage in Clinical Practice
All three terms are clinically acceptable and interchangeable: 1
- Dry eye syndrome (DES) - Most commonly used in clinical practice
- Dry eye disease (DED) - Emphasizes the pathological nature of the condition
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca - Traditional Latin medical terminology, literally meaning "dry inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva"
Clinical Context
The condition encompasses a spectrum of tear film disorders characterized by: 1
- Reduced tear production (aqueous deficiency)
- Increased tear evaporation (evaporative dry eye)
- Tear film instability
- Ocular surface inflammation
- Associated symptoms including burning, grittiness, sandy sensation, redness, and fluctuating vision
The terminology is standardized across international guidelines, with the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines establishing these three terms as equivalent and acceptable for clinical documentation and diagnosis. 1