Abstract:Mucins are a class of large, highly glycosylated proteins that play a critical role in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis, tear film stability and the ocular surface barrier. This article provides a systematic review of recent advances in clinical and basic research on mucins, summarizing their role in maintaining ocular surface health and their involvement in the onset and progression of ocular surface diseases. It also reviews current methods for detecting mucins and therapeutic strategies targeting mucins. Particular emphasis is placed on examining changes in the mucin expression profile in different subtypes of dry eye, ocular surface diseases and following ocular surface surgery, with the aim of providing guidance for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of mucin-related ocular surface diseases.
