Comparison of Schirmer tear test and Strip meniscometry test on their clinical use

Abstract

Objectives: the aim of this research is to compare two tests used in quantitative measurement of the aqueous layer of the tear, Schirmer tear test (STT) and Strip meniscometry test (SMT) in dogs and assess its clinical use. Animals studied: thirty-five dogs were evaluated from patients of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 70 eyes were the total amount of eyes. Procedures: for each dog we conducted a Strip meniscometry test first, and five minutes later the Schirmer tear test on both eyes. The tests were performed in the morning schedule from 9am-12am during the months of February to March. Results: we used twenty dogs of the first dogs thirty-five evaluated. The mean and standard deviation we obtained are 8.775±2.71 mm/5s for the SMT and 17.72±2.87 mm/min for the STT. Conclusions: the results are similar to reports from other studies. Although we encountered some difficulties performing the Strip meniscometry test. Overall SMT presents as a faster test than the STT and overcome the limitations of reflex tearing produced by invasive methods.