Effect of removal of lacrimal and third eyelid glands on Schirmer tear test results in cats.

Schirmer tear tests I and II values for 10 healthy cats were 16.2 +/- 3.8 mm/min and 13.2 +/- 3.4 mm/min, respectively. Surgical removal of the lacrimal gland or the third eyelid gland from the left eye resulted in decreased Schirmer tear test-I values. Clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca were not seen until the lacrimal and third eyelid glands were removed, at which time the Schirmer tear test-I value was close to 0 mm/min. Conjunctival glands (accessory lacrimal glands of Krause and Wolfring) appeared to contribute little to tear production in these cats.