Schirmer test performed with open and closed eyes: variations in normal individuals

purpose: to analyze the difference between measurements of schirmer test i (sti) and basal schirmer test (stb) with open and closed eyes. methods: sixty eyes of 30 normal volunteers, 12 males and 18 females aged 28 ± 9 years were recruited for the study. all st were carried out in a closed environment with the absence of airflow (humidity 60 ± 2.34% and temperature 20.72 ± 1.52oc). sti and stb were performed with the individuals' both eyes open and closed with an interval of 6 hours. all st were conducted in 5 minutes. for statistical analysis, the st strip's wetting velocity (stv) (in millimeters per minute) was calculated, dividing the st values by its wetting time. if st values were 35mm before 5 minutes, wetting time was recorded to obtain stv. results: stv measurements of sti performed with closed eyes (10.30 ± 11.55) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (18.85 ± 17.88) and stv measurements of stb performed with closed eyes (3.74 ± 3.14) were statistically different from those performed with open eyes (6.19 ± 5.86). conclusion: st performed with open or closed eyes can have an important influence in the results of sti and stb in normal individuals.