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Hashemi Eye Care - Neuroscience Institute and Research Center

DEQ-5 (Dry Eye Questionnaire-5)

A brief 5-question screening tool used to assess dry eye symptoms including discomfort, dryness, and tearing frequency and intensity.

4 min read

The Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5) is a brief, validated screening tool that helps identify patients with dry eye disease. With just five questions, it evaluates the frequency and intensity of eye discomfort, dryness, and watery eyes to quickly determine if further dry eye evaluation is needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick 5-question screening tool for dry eye
  • Takes less than 1 minute to complete
  • Scores ≥ 6 suggest dry eye disease
  • Helps differentiate aqueous-deficient from evaporative dry eye
  • Validated and widely used in clinical practice
  • Often used alongside OSDI and objective tests

Why It's Done

The DEQ-5 is used to:

  • Screen for dry eye syndrome
  • Quickly assess symptom severity
  • Identify patients who need further dry eye testing
  • Track symptom changes over time with treatment
  • Support clinical research on dry eye

What to Expect

Before the Questionnaire

  • No preparation needed
  • Think about your typical eye symptoms over the past month

During the Questionnaire

The DEQ-5 asks about:

  1. Eye discomfort frequency—how often do your eyes feel uncomfortable?
  2. Eye discomfort intensity—how intense is the discomfort when it occurs?
  3. Eye dryness frequency—how often do your eyes feel dry?
  4. Eye dryness intensity—how intense is the dryness when it occurs?
  5. Watery eyes frequency—how often do your eyes water?

Each question is scored on a scale (frequency: 0-4, intensity: 0-5).

After the Questionnaire

  • Your doctor reviews your total score
  • Results help guide whether further dry eye testing is needed
  • May be combined with other assessments

Understanding Results

Scoring

Total Score Interpretation
< 6 Unlikely dry eye
6–11 Probable dry eye disease
≥ 12 Likely Sjögren's syndrome dry eye

What the Scores Mean

  • Low scores (< 6): Symptoms are minimal and dry eye is unlikely
  • Moderate scores (6-11): Dry eye disease is probable; further objective testing recommended
  • High scores (≥ 12): Significant symptoms that may indicate Sjögren's syndrome or severe dry eye; comprehensive workup recommended

DEQ-5 vs. Other Questionnaires

Questionnaire Questions What It Covers
DEQ-5 5 Discomfort, dryness, tearing
OSDI 12 Symptoms, visual function, environmental triggers
SPEED 8 Symptom frequency and severity

When Is Each Used?

  • DEQ-5: Quick screening; shorter and faster to administer
  • OSDI: More comprehensive; better for tracking treatment response and assessing impact on daily activities

Part of a Complete Dry Eye Assessment

The DEQ-5 is typically used alongside objective tests:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DEQ-5 a diagnosis?

No. The DEQ-5 is a screening tool that identifies patients who likely have dry eye and need further evaluation. A diagnosis requires objective clinical testing in addition to symptom assessment.

How is DEQ-5 different from OSDI?

The DEQ-5 is shorter (5 questions vs. 12) and focuses on discomfort, dryness, and tearing. The OSDI is more comprehensive and also evaluates how dry eye affects daily activities and sensitivity to environmental triggers.

Can my score change over time?

Yes. Your DEQ-5 score should improve with effective treatment. Repeat scoring helps track whether your symptoms are getting better, staying the same, or worsening.

Why do my eyes water if I have dry eye?

Paradoxically, watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye. When the eye surface becomes too dry, it triggers reflex tearing—a flood of watery tears that don't have the proper oil and mucin layers to stay on the eye effectively.

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