J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1979 Sep;20(3):363-365.

The Normal Values of Schirmer's test in Korean

• Lee KW
• Lim DG
• Kim JM

Abstract

The flow of tears was measured by means of the Schirmer's test using a 35 x 5 mm strip of Whatman No.41 filter paper. The filter strip was folded and the end, 5mm long, was inserted into unanesthetized lateral one-third of lower cul-de-sac. And then the amounts of wetting was measured after 5 minutes. The 334 eyes(199 male eyes, 135 female eyes) were examined to determine the values of the normal Korean's tear secretion with using of Schirmer's first method. The normal value of Schirmer's test in the total population is 16.4 mm/5 min. (male 15.2 mm/ 5 min., female 18.3 mm/5 min.) In males of 20~29 years of age, normal flow of tears is 17.1 mm/5 min., 30~39 years of age, l3.0 mm/5 min., and 40~49 years of age, 13.7 mm/5 min. In females of 20~29 years of age, normal flow of tears is 22.0 mm in 5 minutes, 30~39 years of age, 16.4 mm/5 min., and 40~49 years of age, 14.6 mm/5 min. Age seems to be an influencing factor on secretion of tears, as was indicated when values for patients of successive decades were compared. In general, the decrease in flow of tears was rouohly parallel to the increase in age.

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Male
Reference Values*
Tears