The eye is perhaps the most sensitive organ in the mammalian body, and in the domestic cat, it serves as a primary sensory tool for hunting and navigation. The health of the ocular surface is dependent upon the integrity of the tear film. While the production of tears is often associated solely with emotional expression in humans, in veterinary anatomy, the "tear duct" refers to the drainage system of the lacrimal apparatus.
The feline tear film is a trilaminar structure essential for corneal transparency. cat tear duct
While technically a failure of the secretory glands, KCS affects the dynamics of the duct system. Without adequate tear flow, the nasolacrimal duct can become obstructed by desiccated mucus. In cats, KCS is less common than in dogs but is frequently associated with chronic FHV-1 infection, which can destroy lacrimal gland tissue. The eye is perhaps the most sensitive organ