The present invention discloses a tear analyzing strip (TAS) for measuring dry eye syndrome in a patient. The TAS comprises an elongated body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion interconnected by a main longitudinal axis. The distal portion comprises at least one tear channel comprising at least one tear receiving portion in fluid communication with an eye of the patient such that tears sampled from the eye into the channel. Reagent pads disposed along the length of the distal portion. The reagent pad is in fluid communication with the tear channel such that tears flow through the tear channel towards the reagent pads, thereby progressively wetting the reagent pads. Each of the reagent pads comprises an effective measure of a reagent capable of biological, physical, or chemical activation by the tears or a component thereof and of providing a visible indication of the activation.