Eye Irritation or Eyelid Irritation: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics.

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.

  • Schirmer test (measurement of the amount of tear production; for this purpose, a 5-mm-wide and 35-mm-long filter paper strip (litmus paper) is inserted into the conjunctival sac at the outer corner of the eyelid; after 5 minutes, the distance that the tear fluid has traveled in the paper strip is read; xerophthalmia (decreased tear production) is present if the distance is < 10 mm) – in cases of suspected tear secretion disorder (e.g., “dry eye”).
  • Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the skull (cranial CT / MRI) – for further diagnostics, for example, if a neoplasm is suspected.