Schirmer's test

The Schirmer test ( after Otto Schirmer) serves the objective measurement of tear production quantity of the eye. Here, a 5 mm wide and 35 mm long strip of filter paper ( litmus paper ) is hooked into the outer canthus in the conjunctival sac. After 5 minutes, the line is read, which has traversed the tear fluid in the paper strip. A distinction is made between two different tests.

Schirmer I

This test is performed on the eye without anesthetic whereby the Reizsekretion is tested. Here about 15 mm of the litmus tire should be stained.

Schirmer II

The basal Schirmer test is carried out under local anesthetic, so that there is no irritation of the eye. Here, therefore, a lower value is measured which is more like the basal tear secretion.

More than 10 mm of normal findings, while suggesting less is too low tear production quantity, pathological values ​​are less than 5 mm in 5 minutes.

The test should only be performed by ophthalmologists because if used incorrectly threatens a corneal erosion.

A pathological Schirmer test can be found for example in the following diseases:

• Sjögren's syndrome ( sicca syndrome )
• Medication ( atropine and hyoscyamine, beta-blockers, and others)
• Trachoma
• Lagophthalmos
• Facial palsy with paralysis of the nerve greater petrosal