Quantitative tear ferning. Methodologic and experimental investigations.

The reproducibility of different tear-ferning methods has been investigated by double tests on 122 subjects. Rough grading according to Rolando gives identical recovery in only 42 to 50%. Quantitative test (mm2 ferning per 1 microliter) of conjunctival fluid drawn with a glass rod according to Rolando gave a coefficient of variation of 99 to 128%. Aspiration with a quantitative pipette acc. to Norn 79%, and 55% for a standardized dilution (2.5 microliters of water) in the same pipette. The coefficient of variation was lower between tear samples aspirated through a thin capillary tube (1 mm = 0.5 microliter) from the lateral part of the tear meniscus (35%), and with a standardized tear volume (2.5 microliters) only 6.4%. Ferning is obstructed by ointment, fat emulsion dropped on the conjunctiva and mucous thread, but not by a glass slide rubber with stearin. A quantitative test with a capillary tube (2.5 microliters of aspirated lacrimal fluid) showed reduced ferning 30 sec after instillation of methylcellulose (2.5%) and arachis oil, and after expression of meibomian gland secretion. No significant alteration was observed after instillation of water or stimulation of the tear secretion by nasal inhalation of NH4OH.