Canine Tear Proteomics: A New Frontier in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
D'Agostino AL, Giuliano EA, Morgan-Jack BR, Kick GR, Ota-Kuroki J, Whiting REH · Veterinary Ophthalmology · 1 September 2026
Tear proteomics enables early ocular disease detection and monitoring in dogs.
Canine tear proteomics represents an innovative approach to advancing veterinary ophthalmology through non-invasive biofluid analysis. Tears contain diverse proteins critical for ocular surface protection, immune function, and cellular communication, making them ideal for biomarker discovery. Recent studies have identified tear proteomic signatures associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, glaucoma, neoplasia, and systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge of the canine tear proteome, examines study design methodologies, discusses technological advancements in proteomic analysis, and evaluates specific protein alterations as disease biomarkers. The authors emphasize the accessibility and non-invasive nature of tear collection as significant advantages for clinical application. As analytical techniques continue to evolve, tear proteomics offers veterinary ophthalmologists powerful tools for early disease detection, diagnostic confirmation, treatment monitoring, and prognostic assessment in canine patients.
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