Schirmer's test: its normal values and clinical significance

The lacrimal secretion in 99 healthy individuals has been measured by Schirmer's method. The established statistical limits of normal lacrimal secretion were tested in 18 patients submitted to geniculate ganglionectomy because of petrosal neuralgia, in 15 patients with traumatic, in 17 patients with idiopathic, and in 10 patients with herpetic facial palsy. A significant bilateral reduction of lacrimation was found to be as indicative for a unilateral interruption of the parasympathetic iaring. Abnormal unilateral and bilateral values of lacrimation were present in 93% of the traumatic, in 53% of the idiopathic, and in 60% of the herpetic facial palsies respectively. There is evidence that a significantly disturbed lacrimal flow has not only topographic, but also prognostic value in facial nerve palsy.