[The tear crystallization test in sicca syndrome]

The tear crystallization test permits an easy and quick identification of the lacrimal film alterations existent in the Sicca syndrome. From the 29 crystallization tests done on patients suffering from Sicca syndrome medium and severe form the most frequent was type III crystallization (21 cases-73%), type IV (4 cases-14%) and type I (1 case-3%). Type III and type IV of crystallization occurs in 87% of patients with Sicca syndrome in correspondence with the intensity of the dry-eye symptoms and with the objective qualitative and quantitative tests of the lacrimal film and corneo-conjunctival surface examination (Schirmer test I, BUT, rose bengal 1%, fluorescein 19%). The correlation between subjective and objective modifications is necessary in the Sicca syndrome. Although 26% of the patients diagnosed with Sicca syndrome accused severe dry eye symptoms, only 14% presented type IV crystallization. The absence of crystallizations has been revealed in superficial punctate keratitis (1 case), Sicca keratoconjunctivitis (1 case), filamentary keratitis (1 case), superficial punctate keratitis and corneal ulcus (1 case).