We examined a group of normal subjects to evaluate the tear film funct
ion by measuring reflex tear capacity using the Schirmer test without
anesthetic, steady state tear now using fluorophotometry, meibomian gl
and function based on gland drop-out, expressible lipid volume and vis
cosity, tear loss from evaporation, and tear osmolarity. We found the
average tear flow to be 0.19 +/- 0.19 mu l/min, lower than previously
measured. The average tear volume was also correspondingly less, 2.74
+/- 2.0 mu l. We found there was a decline associated with advancing a
ge for all parameters except the decay constant and lipid volume. The
highest correlations with aging were tear volume (-0.64), Schirmer tes
t (-0.63), and tear osmolarity (0.59). Our results indicate that there
is a decline in tear film function throughout life and that tear now
is considerably less than previously estimated.