Lacrimal fluid is absorbed on a cottonwool swab. This swab is pressed on the test field for leukocyte esterase on the stix. The colour change is read after exactly one minute. The sensitivity of the test is 90% and the specificity is 98% as assessed on 94 cases of infectious conjunctivitis and 439 normal individuals. The test is suitable for assessing cases of conjunctivitis in view of antibiotic therapy, control of contact lenses etc.