ACVIM Small Animal Internal Medicine Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Study Resource

Fatty-acid topical therapy can reduce ocular surface inflammation and improve the stability of the tear film. In aqueous-deficient dry eye, inflammation of the lacrimal gland and ocular surface can suppress tear production. By delivering anti-inflammatory fatty acids, the treatment can lessen inflammatory mediators and support lacrimal gland function, leading to more tear secretion. That means Schirmer test values would rise, reflecting increased aqueous tear production, while inflammation on the ocular surface would decrease.

So the best result to expect is higher tear production alongside reduced inflammation. Other scenarios—fewer tears, no change, or more tears with more inflammation—do not align with the anti-inflammatory, tear-film–stabilizing effects of fatty-acid therapy.