screening and diagnostic tests for dry eyes

Last reviewed 01/2018

Many tests and methods are used currently to diagnose dry eye. The meniscus test is a very subjective method.Schimmers test and other tests may be used to arrive at a diagnosis. Many of these are employed only for research purposes.

  • questionnaires analyzing symptoms
  • the Schirmer test for reflex tear flow
  • tear osmolarity
  • grading of ocular surface staining
  • tear film break-up time (TFBUT) for tear film stability
  • combination of above tests

Reference:

  1. http://www.tearfilm.org/dewsreport/ 2007 Report of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS).