Ocular Surface Disease Index
Ophthalmology
The twelve-item dry eye symptom score, with the scaling that lets unanswered items be skipped.
How it is calculated
- Twelve items across three subscales — ocular symptoms, vision-related function and environmental triggers — each scored from 4 (all of the time) down to 0 (none of the time).
- The score is a scaled mean, not a sum: total × 25, divided by the number of questions actually answered.
- That scaling is the point of the "not applicable" option. Someone who does not drive at night skips that item and their score is still comparable to everyone else's.
- The result runs 0 to 100: 0–12 normal, 13–22 mild, 23–32 moderate, and 33 or above severe.
- Symptom scores correlate only loosely with clinical signs in dry eye, which is why the questionnaire is used alongside examination rather than in place of it.
References
- Schiffman RM, Christianson MD, Jacobsen G, Hirsch JD, Reis BL. Reliability and validity of the Ocular Surface Disease Index. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118:615-621.
- OSDI© is copyright Allergan. Item wording here is abbreviated for learning; use the official form to administer it.
About these tools
OcuLearning Clinical Tools is part of an educational platform. These calculators are provided for learning and reference, and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation.