Dry Eye, Conventional Treatment

We’re discussing dry eye, a common eye problem caused by abnormal tears. Untreated, it can cause blindness.

In previous blogs, we’ve looked at the nature of tears, what causes dry eye, the dog breeds most likely to develop dry eye, and which medications may actually cause it. Now, let’s consider conventional and holistic treatments. While conventional treatments can only be used to treat dry eye once it has developed, holistic therapies can be started before dry eye develops and will help delay the onset of disease in dogs predisposed to develop it.

Conventional Treatments for Dry Eye
For pets with dry eye:
1. Instill artificial tears several times a day.
2. Instill immune-mediating eye medications such as cyclosporin or Tacrolimus to prevent the pet’s own white blood cells from attacking the tear-production mechanism. When topical cyclosporin A is used twice a day (0.2-2%), it increases tear production in 80% of pets that can still make tears. These pets have Schirmer tear test values of at least 2 mm.
3. Use Pilocarpine for pets with damage the nerve that travels to the tear glands (cranial nerve III).
4. Use Topical acetylcysteine solutions to dissolve the mucus in tears so they spread over the eye better.

Treat Both Eyes
Although pets can be diagnosed with dry eye in one eye, tear production usually fails in both eyes. Once tear production fails, it does not return and most pets require treatment for life. Treatment of dry eye prevents pets from developing eye ulcers and scarring that leads to blindness.