OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, identify associated risk factors and determine the relation between subjective and objective assessment of dry eye disease in patients presenting to the ophthalmic clinic in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria; in order to effect an improved patients’ care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive, hospital-based study, in which a total of 402 consecutive consenting adult patients, aged 18 years and older presenting with various ophthalmic problems were assessed for dry eye disease from September to December 2011. Assessment was done subjectively with a validated questionnaire - Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and objectively with Schirmer’s test, and tear-film break-up time (TBUT), after obtaining their socio-demographic data. The role of ophthalmic and systemic diseases, use of topical and systemic medications as possible risk factors was also assessed. An OSDI score of ≥50, TBUT of <10 seconds and Schirmer’s test of <10 mm in five minutes were considered abnormal. Frequency distribution tables and charts were used to represent results. All p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.