, requires that preoperative cataracts are to be evaluated based on visual d. Evaluating Preoperative impairment. If cataracts are postoperative in nature, evaluate based on visual Versus impairment if a replacement lens is present (known as pseudophakia). If Postoperative there is no replacement lens, evaluate based on aphakia under . Cataracts e. Evaluating Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, more commonly known as dry eye, occurs when Dry Eye the surface of the eye becomes dry due to lack of quality tears. Evaluation Syndrome and selection of an analogous DC for dry eye syndrome is dependent on the symptoms noted and etiology. Dry eye syndrome may be due to a variety of causes to include an underlying disease, such as diabetes mellitus or rheumatoid arthritis medications, such as certain hypertensive and antidepressant medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants, or antihistamines, and environmental exposures such as wind, high altitude, dry air, sun, or prolonged eye concentration. Treatment for dry eyes ranges from use of over-the-counter artificial tear drops to surgery, prescription medications, blocking of ducts, or special contact lenses. The disability picture present with dry eye syndrome varies and, therefore, an appropriate analogous DC must be selected. Appropriate DCs may include , depending upon the nature and symptomatology. Elective procedures, such as laser eye surgery (e.g., LASIK), Important: without unusual results or additional disability attributed to elective procedures are eligible for SC. Dry eye syndrome is a common result of not laser eye surgery, and thus would be eligible for SC the etiology of the not if dry eye syndrome is due solely to an elective procedure. Notes: Minimal symptomatology only requiring treatment by non-prescription eye drops would typically only warrant a zero percent evaluation under , as it clearly does not approximate the criteria required for a compensable evaluation. Depending on the etiology of the dry eye syndrome, it may also be appropriate to evaluate as a symptom under the evaluation of the underlying condition. For more information on the References: principles of service connection, see , and usual effects of medical and surgical treatment in service having the effect of ameliorating disease, see .
d. Evaluating Preoperative Versus Postoperative Cataracts , requires that preoperative cataracts are to be evaluated based on visual impairment. If cataracts are postoperative in nature, evaluate based on visual impairment if a replacement lens is present (known as pseudophakia). If there is no replacement lens, evaluate based on aphakia under . e. Evaluating Dry Eye Syndrome Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, more commonly known as dry eye, occurs when the surface of the eye becomes dry due to lack of quality tears. Evaluation and selection of an analogous DC for dry eye syndrome is dependent on the symptoms noted and etiology. Dry eye syndrome may be due to a variety of causes to include an underlying disease, such as diabetes mellitus or rheumatoid arthritis medications, such as certain hypertensive and antidepressant medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants, or antihistamines, and environmental exposures such as wind, high altitude, dry air, sun, or prolonged eye concentration. Treatment for dry eyes ranges from use of over-the-counter artificial tear drops to surgery, prescription medications, blocking of ducts, or special contact lenses. The disability picture present with dry eye syndrome varies and, therefore, an appropriate analogous DC must be selected. Appropriate DCs may include , depending upon the nature and symptomatology. Important: Elective procedures, such as laser eye surgery (e.g., LASIK), without unusual results or additional disability attributed to elective procedures are not eligible for SC. Dry eye syndrome is a common result of laser eye surgery, and thus would not be eligible for SC if the etiology of the dry eye syndrome is due solely to an elective procedure. Notes: Minimal symptomatology only requiring treatment by non-prescription eye drops would typically only warrant a zero percent evaluation under , as it clearly does not approximate the criteria required for a compensable evaluation. Depending on the etiology of the dry eye syndrome, it may also be appropriate to evaluate as a symptom under the evaluation of the underlying condition. References: For more information on the principles of service connection, see , and usual effects of medical and surgical treatment in service having the effect of ameliorating disease, see .