Schirmer test performed with open and closed eyes: variations in normal individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the difference between measurements of Schirmer test I (STI) and basal Schirmer test (STB) with open and closed eyes.


METHODS
Sixty eyes of 30 normal volunteers, 12 males and 18 females aged 28 +/- 9 years were recruited for the study. All ST were carried out in a closed environment with the absence of airflow (humidity 60 +/- 2.34% and temperature 20.72 +/- 1.52 degrees C). STI and STB were performed with the individuals' both eyes open and closed with an interval of 6 hours. All ST were conducted in 5 minutes. For statistical analysis, the ST strip's wetting velocity (STV) (in millimeters per minute) was calculated, dividing the ST values by its wetting time. If ST values were 35 mm before 5 minutes, wetting time was recorded to obtain STV.


RESULTS
STV measurements of STI performed with closed eyes (10.30 +/- 11.55) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (18.85 +/- 17.88) and STV measurements of STB performed with closed eyes (3.74 +/- 3.14) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (6.19 +/- 5.86).


CONCLUSIONS
ST performed with open or closed eyes can have an important influence in the results of STI and STB in normal individuals.
Serruya
Leão Gabbay
LG
Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo- São Paulo (SP) - Brasil. leaoserruya@yahoo.com.br
Nogueira
Daniel Cruz
DC
Hida
Richard Yudi
RY
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011934:Reagent Strips / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D011934:Reagent Strips