Schirmer's test

The Schirmer test is used to assess the amount of tear production. Special strips of filter paper (5 × 35 mm, 5 mm folded from the end) are inserted into the lower conjunctival sac of both eyes (at the interface of the outer and middle third). After 5 minutes, we evaluate the length of the wet section, with normal reflex formation of the aqueous component of tears, it should be longer than 10 mm. It is mainly used in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome.

Test Variants:
 * Schirmer's test Even without anesthetic - measures both basal and reflex secretion
 * Schirmer's test I with anesthetic - measures only basal secretion, tells about the activity of accessory glands (dysfunction in inflammation, eg in sarcoidosis , Sjörgen's syndrome )
 * Schirmer's test II with anesthetic - measures the reflex secretion of tears when irritating the nasal mucosa

Related Articles

 * Tear film
 * Dry eye syndrome
 * Break-up time test