Dry Eye Symptom Quiz
Answer eight quick questions based on the validated SPEED questionnaire to score your symptoms and find out whether a dry eye evaluation makes sense. It takes about two minutes.
- Validated questionnaire
- About 2 minutes
- Private — stays on your device
Take the SPEED dry eye quiz
Question 1 of 4
SPEED score: 0–28
Your dry eye symptom score
Based on the validated SPEED questionnaire. Higher scores mean a heavier symptom burden.
Your symptoms look minimal
Your answers suggest little or no dry eye symptom burden right now. Keep up healthy habits — regular screen breaks, staying hydrated, and omega-3-rich foods. If anything changes or a symptom starts to bother you, a quick evaluation is always worthwhile.
You have mild dry eye symptoms
Your score points to mild but real dry eye symptoms. These often respond well to early, simple steps — and a brief dry eye assessment can pinpoint whether the cause is evaporative (oil gland) or aqueous (tear volume) so you treat the right thing before it progresses.
You have moderate dry eye symptoms
Your score falls in the moderate range, which is consistent with dry eye disease that is affecting your comfort. We recommend a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with Dr. Patel. Testing identifies the type — MGD, aqueous-deficient, or mixed — so treatment can be matched to the cause, from NuLids and IPL therapy to punctal plugs.
You have severe dry eye symptoms
Your score is in the severe range. Symptoms at this level are consistent with significant dry eye disease and deserve prompt, professional attention. We recommend scheduling a comprehensive dry eye evaluation soon — the sooner the cause is identified, the sooner targeted treatment can bring relief. Call us if you'd like to be seen quickly.
Ready for answers?
A $50 comprehensive dry eye diagnostic measures your tear film and meibomian glands and turns these symptoms into a clear, personalized treatment plan.
This quiz is a symptom screening tool based on the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire. It does not provide a medical diagnosis and does not replace a professional eye examination. If you have sudden vision changes, eye pain, or injury, seek care promptly.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (617) 965-2540 — we serve Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Brookline, Waltham, and Greater Boston.
What the SPEED questionnaire measures
SPEED stands for Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness — a short, validated survey that eye doctors use to screen for and track dry eye disease.
Four symptoms, two ways
You rate four common symptoms — dryness or grittiness, soreness or irritation, burning or watering, and eye fatigue — for how often they occur (0–3) and how intense they feel (0–4). That's eight quick ratings.
A single 0–28 score
Your answers add up to one number between 0 and 28. It's a repeatable way to capture how much dry eye is affecting you — and a useful baseline to measure whether treatment is working.
How to read your score
A commonly used interpretation of the SPEED total. Scores of 6 or more are generally considered symptomatic.
| Score | Symptom level | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | Little or no dry eye symptom burden. |
| 5–7 | Mild | Symptoms are present; early treatment helps. |
| 8–14 | Moderate | Consistent with dry eye disease; evaluation recommended. |
| 15–28 | Severe | Significant symptoms; prompt evaluation advised. |
The SPEED questionnaire is validated for measuring dry eye symptoms (Ngo et al., Cornea 2013, doi:10.1097/ICO.0b013e318294b0c0; Asiedu et al., Cornea 2016, doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000000712). Score ranges shown are a common clinical interpretation, not a diagnosis.
Common Questions
What people ask about the dry eye quiz and their score.
What is the SPEED dry eye questionnaire?
SPEED stands for Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness. It is a short, validated questionnaire that measures four common dry eye symptoms — dryness or grittiness, soreness or irritation, burning or watering, and eye fatigue — by how often they occur and how intense they feel. Each symptom is rated for frequency (0–3) and severity (0–4), for a total score from 0 to 28. It is widely used by eye doctors to screen for and track dry eye disease.
Is this dry eye quiz a diagnosis?
No. The quiz is a symptom-screening tool, not a diagnosis. A high score means your symptoms are consistent with dry eye disease and that an exam is worthwhile — but only a comprehensive dry eye evaluation, which measures your tear film and meibomian glands, can confirm the cause. A low score does not rule out an eye problem, especially if something is bothering you.
What is a normal SPEED score?
SPEED scores range from 0 to 28. A commonly used interpretation treats 0–4 as minimal or no symptoms, 5–7 as mild, 8–14 as moderate, and 15–28 as severe. Scores of 6 and above are generally considered symptomatic and worth a professional dry eye evaluation.
What should I do if my dry eye score is high?
If your score falls in the moderate or severe range, we recommend booking a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with Dr. Kian Patel at our Newton, MA office. Testing identifies whether you have evaporative dry eye (MGD), aqueous-deficient dry eye, or a mixed type, so treatment can be matched to the cause — from NuLids and IPL therapy to punctal plugs. Call (617) 965-2540 or book online.
If your score points to dry eye
Dry Eye Assessment
Comprehensive diagnostic testing to identify the root causes of your symptoms.
NuLids PRO Therapy
Gentle eyelid exfoliation and stimulation for blepharitis and MGD relief.
IPL Treatment in Newton (OptiLight)
FDA-approved light therapy targeting inflammation and restoring meibomian gland function.
Punctal Plugs
Tiny, reversible tear-duct inserts that help your eyes retain natural moisture.