Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial disorder characterized with inflammation, tear film hyperosmolarity and instability and visual impairment, with a potential to induce ocular surface damage. About 40 % of DES cases are induced by evaporative stres factors. Thus, many studies recently concentrated on evaporative dry eye models.

In the present study, a dry eye cabinet (DEC) (relative humidity (RH) <30%, temperature 21-25 0C) was designed. Fourteen of 8 weeks old BALB-C breed female mice were allocated equally to 2 groups, where experimental group was placed in a DEC with three compartments while control group was placed in the cages under room conditions (RH 50-80%, temperature 21-23°C). The parameters including blink rate, phenol red cotton thread (PRCT) and tear break-up time (BUT) were evaluated at 2 week intervals on the weeks 0 (baseline), 2, 4 and 6.

In evaluation of the experimental group parameters to measuring times, blink rate means increased on weeks 4 and 6. However PRCT and BUT means constantly decreased on weeks 2, 4 and 6 compared with baseline values. The difference which was statistically insignificant (P>0.05) in terms of all parameters on week 0 between control and experimental groups, was found significant (P<0.05) on weeks 2, 4 and 6 regarding of blink rate and BUT and on weeks 4 and 6 in terms tear production rate.

It was concluded that the present model could be utilized with confidence to induce experimental DE in small laboratory animals.