THE LIPID LAYER AND STABILITY OF TEARS IN HUMAN NEWBORNS.

We previously quantified the contributions of the basal and reflex tear systems to the tears of 70 neonates and found that both basal and reflex secretion increase from the preterm to the term period (Table 1).1 The low level of basal and reflex tear secretion found in preterms may mask the diagnosis of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction, permit higher concentrations of topically applied medications and allow corneas to dry during examination and treatment, especially for retinopathy of prematurity.