Dry eye

Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca (Dry eye)

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (also known as KCS or Dry Eye) is a disease in which tear production is absent or decreased. The front layer of the eye (cornea) dries out and becomes painful. Pigmentation of the cornea and loss of vision can result.

Tears are produced in several tear glands and bath the cornea continuously to keep it clean and lubricated. Disease or destruction of these tear glands may reduce tear production to an unhealthy level. The exact cause in individual cases may be unknown; however, typical causes include trauma, chemicals, infections, tumors, nerve degeneration and immune reactions.

The most common symptoms include a thick mucoid discharge from the eye(s) and signs of discomfort including squinting and rubbing the eyes.

A test called a "Schirmer Tear Test" is used to diagnose KCS by measuring the amount of tears produced in one minute. Once a diagnosis is made there are several options for treatment. Your patience and determination are critical to your pet's comfort, since medical attempts to correct the condition may take weeks to months or may never be entirely successful. Even if normal tear production never returns, you can provide increased comfort to your pet and usually preserve some vision.

Medical treatment may include providing eye lubrication using "Artificial Tears" ointments or drops every few hours. A less time consuming alternative is a topical ointment called Optimmune® which can stimulate increase tear production in some dogs. It only requires one or two applications per day. These treatments must be continued daily throughout the life of the pet. If medical treatment is unsuccessful, then an operation called parotid duct transposition may be performed. It involves redirecting a salivary duct from the mouth to the eye so that saliva substitutes for tears. The operation is not without problems and is recommended only after an intense effort has been made to treat the condition with medicine alone.