To develop and validate a Farsi version of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) for the Iranian population.

Four bilingual (English-Persian) physicians were asked to translate the original English OSDI questionnaire in Farsi. Following back and forth translation, integration and pilot check, the translation team came to consensus on translation. Consecutive patients visited in ophthalmology underwent comprehensive general ophthalmology exam and specific assessments for dry eye including non-anesthetic Schirmer’s test, fluorescein tear break-up time (FTBUT), Fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining and reporting using Oxford scale and Farsi OSDI (F-OSDI). F-OSDI was again rechecked within 2-7 days after the examination.

Forty-four participant were enrolled into study. Thirty-two(72.7%) were male and 12(27.3%) female. Mean age of participants was 45.5(SD=±15.97, range=18-80) years. Twenty five percent were less than 31 years old and 10% percent older than 65. The cronbach’s alpha for the questionnaire was 0.807. questions number 7,8,12 showed excellent and good internal consistency, respectively. There was a significant correlation between all pre measures and post assessments

The obtained F-OSDI showed acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. This F-OSDI could be used for assessment of dry eye and ocular surface discomfort and quality of life in Iranian and Farsi speaking populations.