Dry eyes

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Dry eyes may result from:

  • Aging
  • Corneal ulcers and infections
  • Eye infections (for example, conjunctivitis)
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Tearing problems due to disorders such as lymphoma, leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Previous eyelid or facial surgery
  • Climate changes

The inability of tears to drain into the nose can occur with:

  • Some eye infections
  • Blockage of the tear duct

Schirmer's test

Risks    There are no risks with this test.


Considerations    
          Do not rub the eyes for at least 30 minutes after the test. Contact lenses should be left out for at least 2 hours after the test.
          Even though Schirmer's test has been available for more than a hundred years, several studies show that it does not properly identify a large group of patients with dry eyes. Newer and better tests are being developed. One test measures a molecule called lactoferrin. Patients with low tear production and dry eyes have low levels of this molecule.
          Another test involves fluorescein eye drops, which contain a dye that is placed in the eye. Tears should flush the dye into the nose within 2 minutes. It will take longer in persons with dry eyes.