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.
Keywords: Schirmer tear test; Schirmer tear test I; conjunctival fornix; dorsal; placement; ventral.
© 2017 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.