Reply to letter by Kusin et al. [Letter to the editor]

The authors contend that the rose Bengal test is useful for diagnosis of conjunctival xerosis despite its limitations. The high percentage of false positives associated with the test is acknowledged, but such results would be reduced if the test were standardized and only distinct patches visible from a distance of 1 m were considered positive. The test is simple and objective and can be used by paramedical personnel for screening.