Comparison of the Schirmer I test with and without topical anesthesia for diagnosing dry eye

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology Vol. 5; no. 4; pp. 478 - 481
• Main Authors: Li, Na, Deng, Xin-Guo, He, Mei-Feng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China International Journal of Ophthalmology Press 2012
• Subjects: Clinical Research; tears; Schirmer I test; dry eye; topical anesthesia
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2012.04.14

To determine the value of Schirmer I test (S I t) without anesthesia and with topical anesthesia for diagnosing dry eye (DE). Totally 220 eyes in 110 patients, male (44) and female (66), (39.56±12.67) years old diagnosed with DE were examined. S I t without anesthesia was performed firstly, and 15 minutes later, it was applied again in the same person after topical anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops. The wetting strips counted <10mm per 5 minutes were defined positive, while ≤5mm per 5 minutes were defined strong positive. The wetting length in S I t after topical anesthesia was significantly lower than that in S I t without anesthesia (P<0.001). The positive rate and strong positive rate of S I t after topical anesthesia were significantly higher than that of S I t without anesthesia (P<0.001). The positive rate and strong positive rate of S I t without anesthesia and the strong positive rate of S I t after topical anesthesia in patients with aqueous-deficiency dry eye (ADDE) were significantly higher than those in total patients whereas those in patients with evaporative dry eye (EDE) were significantly lower than those in total patients (P<0.001). S I t after topical anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops is more objective and reliable than that without anesthesia in reflecting the status of DE, and its diagnostic value in patients with ADDE was even higher, making itself a meaningful evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of DE.