·AIM:To evaluate the effect of conjunctival blotting cytological examination in dry eye diagnosis.·METHODS:Totally 36 patients 72 eyes with dry eye syndrome from April 2008 to September 2008 and 10 normal volunteers 20 eyes were analyzed.Conjunctival blotting cytology combined PAS staining were applied.Conjunctival epithelial cells and the number,morphology and changes of goblet cells were observed.·RESULTS:Morphologically,97% of the normal volunteer presented the Nelson grade 0,84% of mild dry eye patients presented the Nelson grade 1,79% of moderate dry eye patients presented the Nelson grade 2,98% of severe dry eye patients presented the Nelson grade 3;The number of goblet cells was calculated using five visual fields randomly under high magnification.There was significantas decrease in dry eye group(mild:101.67±15.64,moderate:40.77±5.39,severe:6.36±3.61)compared with normal group(196.10±22.53,P<0.01);There was significant decreased in severe dry eye group than in mild or moderate dry eye group and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).·CONCLUSION:Conjunctival blotting cytological examination is asimple,accurate and objective method,when combined with other examination methods,it has good prospects for diagnosis of dry eye.·