The trilaminar tear film, composed of the lipid, aqueous and mucin layers, has many functions including defending the ocular surface. The aqueous layer has several soluble antimicrobial factors that protect the ocular surface. Ocular mucins have recently been studied with regard to their role in the defense of the eye as well as in dry eye syndromes. To date, 15 mucin genes have been identified, and six of these mucin genes are localized to or secreted by ocular glands or epithelia. Understanding the production, secretion and function of ocular mucins will aid in the treatment of dry eye syndromes and ocular surface microbial infections.

The duration of clinical follow-up (19/20 dogs) ranged from 1 to 36 months (mean 12.9 months). All eyes that had cataract surgery with or without IOL placement were sighted at the time of the last follow-up examination. Spontaneous lens capsule rupture associated with diabetes mellitus, cataract and rapid lens intumescence occurs in the dog. Early surgical intervention, prior to secondary complications of glaucoma and loss of retinal function, is associated with a favorable outcome.

A 5-year-old female Holstein cow was examined for ocular discharge, periorbital swelling, an area of full-thickness corneal cellular infiltrate, fibrin, hypopyon, diffuse corneal edema, and miosis. The patient was diagnosed with a corneal stromal abscess and secondary anterior uveitis. Histopathology, mycotic culture, and polymerase chain reaction positive for Aspergillus and Fusarium DNA confirmed the presence of fungal infection. Response to therapy was adequate, and follow-up with the patient 1 year after diagnosis revealed a focal area of corneal fibrosis.

A 5-year-old European hedgehog was examined because of exophthalmos of the left eye. A retrobulbar mass in the ventromedial orbit was suspected and confirmed by a computed tomography scan. Exophthalmos progressed despite systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The left orbit was exenterated and the mass was partially removed. The histopathologic diagnosis was lacrimal ductal carcinoma. Lacrimal ductal carcinoma is rare in humans and animals. The long-term prognosis is guarded to poor.