Which test is used to evaluate tear production?

The Schirmer test is the standard procedure used to evaluate tear production. This test measures the amount of moisture on a specific strip of filter paper placed under the lower eyelid over a set period, usually five minutes. If the moisture level is below a certain threshold, it indicates insufficient tear production, which can be a sign of dry eye syndrome or other ocular surface disorders.

In contrast, visual field tests assess peripheral vision and help diagnose conditions like glaucoma and neurological disorders but do not evaluate tear production. Fluorescein staining is primarily used to identify corneal abrasions or other surface abnormalities of the eye by highlighting areas where the cornea is damaged or drying out; it does not provide a measurement of tear production. Tonometry measures intraocular pressure to help diagnose glaucoma and offers no information about tear level or production. Thus, the Schirmer test is specifically focused on evaluating the function of tear production in the eyes.