People with dry eye syndrome typically present with feelings of dryness, grittiness, or soreness in both eyes, which worsen through the day, and watering of the eyes, particularly when exposed to wind. Symptoms that are worse on wakening, eyelids sticking together on waking, and redness of the eyelids suggest dry eye syndrome caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction.

There may be no abnormalities on examination.

Punctate fluorescein staining of the cornea is common in patients with dry eyes.

Less commonly people present with a complication of dry eye syndrome, for example, conjunctivitis or ulceration of the cornea, suggested by severe pain, photophobia, marked redness, and loss of visual acuity.

Eyelid hygiene is the most appropriate management step here. Eyelid hygiene helps to control blepharitis. Most people with dry eye syndrome have blepharitis.