What causes dry eye in dogs?
Quantitative dry eye occurs due to a reduced production of tears. The most common cause in dogs is autoimmune disease, where the immune system inappropriately attacks the lacrimal gland which is responsible for the majority of tear production.
Dogs are usually middle-aged when dry eye begins and although any dog can be affected, certain breeds such as the English bulldog, West Highland white terrier and spaniel breeds are more commonly represented.
What are the signs?
- Mucoid or creamy ocular discharge
- Ocular redness
- Holding the eye(s) shut
- Dull or pigmented surface of the eye
- Reduced vision
- Corneal ulcerations
How is it diagnosed?
The above clinical signs combined with a reduced Schirmer tear test reading allows dry eye to be diagnosed and categorised as follows:
Mild: 10 – 15 mm/60s
Moderate: 5 – 10 mm/60s
Severe: <5 mm/60s
How is it treated?
Dry eye is a life-long condition that can become worse over time, thus long-term management is required.
- Flushing and cleansing the eyes of mucus before applying drops.
- Lubricating eye drops to ease symptoms and maintain comfort.
- Drops to stimulate tear production. These are known as immune-modulating drops and include drugs such as cyclosporin and tacrolimus.
- Antibiotic eye drops may be required intermittently if secondary infections are present.
- Surgery. In some cases ocular comfort cannot be maintained with medication alone, thus your Ophthalmologist may discuss a surgical procedure known as a parotid duct transposition.
