Schirmer tear test I in dogs: results comparing placement in the ventral vs. dorsal conjunctival fornix.

OBJECTIVE

To compare Schirmer tear test I (STT I) values obtained from placement of tear strips in the ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices in dogs.

PROCEDURE: Schirmer tear test I was performed on each eye of 16 clinically normal dogs (32 eyes) in a crossover study. Initial tear strip placement site was randomized for each eye. Alternative placement site measurements were obtained after 1 week.

RESULTS

The mean (± standard deviation, SD) STT I for dorsal and ventral conjunctival fornices was 20.44 (±4.46) mm/min and 23.56 (±3.98) mm/min, respectively. STT I values obtained from the ventral conjunctival fornix were significantly greater than those obtained from the dorsal conjunctival fornix (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Schirmer tear test I values were significantly greater with tear strips placed in the ventral conjunctival fornix.