<p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Background:</span></strong>The study was performed to assess the prevalence of dry eye syndrome in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes in urban south Indian population.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods:</span></strong>100 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes in urban South Indian population were consecutively studied who attended OPD at Ideal Diabetes Care Center. Dry eyes were on the basis of history of ocular discomfort, including soreness, gritty sensation, itchiness, redness, blurred vision that improves with blinking and excessive tearing. The condition was confirmed by ocular surface dye staining pattern with fluorescein, tear film break up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test. All the patients were given artificial tears (carboxy methycellulose sodium eye drops).</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results:</span></strong>Of 100 diabetic patients, 60 patients (60.0%) had dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome was more common in older and female patients. A significant association was observed between duration of diabetes and frequency of dry eye syndrome. Of 60 patients with dry eye syndrome 43.0% suffered from gritty sensation, 41.0% had soreness. 26.0% complained from tearing, redness and 11.0% from pain. 60.0% had shimmer test positive. 8.0% had TBUT positive and none of the patients had abnormal corneal sensitivity test positive. Response after using artificial tears was good.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions:</span></strong><span lang="EN-US"> Our finding strongly support diabetic patients have an elevated prevalence </span>of dry eye syndrome. In this study the prevalence of dry eye syndrome was 60.0%. So, examination for dry eye should be an integral part of the assessment of dry eye disease. Further results showed management with artificial tears improved dry eye symptoms<span lang="EN-US">.</span></p>