Lacrimostimulants and lacrimomimetics

Abstract

A thorough understanding of tear film physiology and the clinical manifestations of tear film abnormalities enables the veterinarian to diagnose and treat quantitative (decreased aqueous layer) and qualitative (decreased mucin or lipid layers) tear film abnormalities accurately and to monitor the responses to lacrimostimulatory and lacrimomimetic therapy. This article reviews the embryology,anatomy, and physiology of the lacrimal glands; glands of the nictitating membrane; goblet cells; and tarsal glands as well as the pathophysiology of tear film deficiencies. We also review lacrimo-stimulants, including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, pilocar-pine, and lacrimomimetics (tear film replacements).