Understanding Schirmer’s test is very important, especially for people who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Most dry eye treatments are based on symptoms alone.
Understanding ocular discomfort symptoms is very much helpful in diagnosing patients with dry eyes. Some basic tests like Schirmer’s test, which analyse the tear film break-up time can be very useful in studying dry eyes.
Understanding Schirmer’s Test: Usually it is understood that excessive tear evaporation, evident tear deficiency and exposed eye surface damage are considered to be the major symptoms of dry eyes. But, diagnosis based on the above three symptoms can prove to be awfully one-sided (though on a clinical basis the above symptoms are still effective).
So, in the absence of an effective display of the above symptoms, Schirmer’s test can help diagnose dry eye.
Schirmer’s Test Procedure: Schirmer’s test involves testing both the eyes for the production of tears. The amount of tears produced by both the eyes forms the criterion for declaring eyes normal, dry or excessively tearing.
- In reality, both eyes are known to produce the same amount of tears. Though the exact procedure may vary, usually in Schirmer’s test, paper strips are used to check the amount of tear production by inserting them into the eyes. The strips remain in the eye for several minutes.
- Only the basal tear secretion is important for this test and hence care is taken to see that there is no tearing caused by paper irritation. Also, the use of anaesthetic makes sure that it is basal tear secretion being measured.
- On an average scale, a younger person would moisten both the paper strips by about 15mm in under 5 minutes. An older person may only wet the strips by 10mm in 5 minutes(aging is the reason for this) while people severely affected by dry eyes would not be able to wet even 5mm in 5 minutes.
Understanding Schirmer’s Test Results: The following measurements can act as a guideline in understanding the moistness of the eyes. The basic criterion is
the amount of paper wetness occurring in 5 minutes.
- greater than or equal to 15 mm is considered normal or healthy.
- between 14 mm and 9 mm the eyes are considered to be mildly suffering.
- between 8 mm and 4 mm the eyes are considered to be moderately suffering.
- anything under 4 mm, the eyes are severely affected.
The above values are perfect indicators to how dry or moist our eyes are.
By understanding Schirmer’s test results, dry eye which can be caused by various factors like aging, infections, corneal ulcers et. can be treated very effectively.
