Schirmer tear test

Introduction

Measures tear flow.

Procedure

• a small piece of filter paper is hooked over the lower set of eyelashes into the conjunctiva
• 3-5 minutes is allowed to elapse & the distance tears move onto the paper is measured
• the distance is measured from a groove which marks the edge of the conjunctiva

Interpretation

• > 20 mm is normal
• 9-20 mm is gray zone
• < 9 mm is abnormal

More general terms

• tearing test

Additional terms

• tears