Effect of artificial tear solutions and saline on tear film evaporation.

The effect on tear evaporation of two artificial tear solutions is compared with that of an equal volume of saline instilled into the eye. Changes in tear evaporation rates (TER) were measured with a modified Servomed Evaporimeter in a cross-over study of nine subjects. Initial increases in TER were found with all three solutions; however, slight evidence exists for a faster return to baseline with artificial tear solutions.