Dry eye: Schirmer test: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Dry eye: Schirmer test

Sample item

A patient has gritty eyes. A Schirmer I test without anaesthesia shows 4 mm wetting in 5 minutes. How is this interpreted?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reduced aqueous tear secretion

Wetting of 10 mm or more in 5 minutes is normal, and less than 10 mm suggests aqueous deficiency, with less than 5 mm indicating marked dryness. The test measures basal plus reflex aqueous secretion.

Option by option

  • A. Reduced aqueous tear secretion (correct)

    Correct. Below 10 mm in 5 minutes indicates deficient aqueous production.

  • B. Excess tearing from nasolacrimal obstruction

    Obstruction would not reduce Schirmer wetting.

  • C. Normal tear secretion

    Normal wetting is 10 mm or more.

  • D. A defect of the mucin layer only

    Mucin deficiency is assessed by rose bengal or tear break-up time rather than Schirmer.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Reduced aqueous tear secretion. Wetting of 10 mm or more in 5 minutes is normal, and less than 10 mm suggests aqueous deficiency, with less than 5 mm indicating marked dryness.

Why is "Excess tearing from nasolacrimal obstruction" not the answer?

Obstruction would not reduce Schirmer wetting.

Why is "Normal tear secretion" not the answer?

Normal wetting is 10 mm or more.

Why is "A defect of the mucin layer only" not the answer?

Mucin deficiency is assessed by rose bengal or tear break-up time rather than Schirmer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dry eye: Schirmer test in Ophthalmology. The test measures basal plus reflex aqueous secretion.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dry eye: Schirmer test?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.