"Dry Eye"
 |  |
KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA (“DRY EYE”)
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is also called “dry eye.” It is a condition in
which tear production is decreased or sometimes even totally absent.
This causes the outer layer of the eye (cornea) to dry out and become
painful. Loss of vision can result.
Tears are produced from two major sources:
• Tear glands positioned above each eyeball
• Accessory glands distributed throughout the front of the eyes,
including in the eyelids.
Inflammation or destruction of these tear glands can reduce tear
production to such a low level that the eye begins to dry out. Causes of
this condition include trauma, drug toxicities, chemical irritations, viral
infections, tumors, nerve degeneration, congenital defects where the
dog is born without well-formed tear glands, and autoimmune reactions.
In most cases, the exact cause cannot be determined. There is evidence
that up to 90% of KCS cases are related to a problem with the pet’s
immune system.
which tear production is decreased or sometimes even totally absent.
This causes the outer layer of the eye (cornea) to dry out and become
painful. Loss of vision can result.
Tears are produced from two major sources:
• Tear glands positioned above each eyeball
• Accessory glands distributed throughout the front of the eyes,
including in the eyelids.
Inflammation or destruction of these tear glands can reduce tear
production to such a low level that the eye begins to dry out. Causes of
this condition include trauma, drug toxicities, chemical irritations, viral
infections, tumors, nerve degeneration, congenital defects where the
dog is born without well-formed tear glands, and autoimmune reactions.
In most cases, the exact cause cannot be determined. There is evidence
that up to 90% of KCS cases are related to a problem with the pet’s
immune system.
Clinical Signs include frequent accumulation of mucus in the corners
of the eye, reddened eyes, dry and dull corneas, squinting and
rubbing the eyes, loss of transparency in the corneas, and possibly
the presence of ulcers on the corneas.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and results of the Schirmer tear
test. This test involves placing a special strip of paper over the dog’
s lower eyelids. After one minute, the amount of moisture absorbed
by the special paper is measured and the results compared to
known standards.
Treatment. The goal of treatment is to maintain adequate
lubrication of the eye. This may be accomplished by:
• Stimulation of tear production through the use of drugs that
increase tear flow.
• Replacement of tears using “artificial tears.”
THIS CONDITION CANNOT BE CURED! HOWEVER, IT IS EASILY
TREATED AND CONTROLLED IN MOST PETS.
of the eye, reddened eyes, dry and dull corneas, squinting and
rubbing the eyes, loss of transparency in the corneas, and possibly
the presence of ulcers on the corneas.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and results of the Schirmer tear
test. This test involves placing a special strip of paper over the dog’
s lower eyelids. After one minute, the amount of moisture absorbed
by the special paper is measured and the results compared to
known standards.
Treatment. The goal of treatment is to maintain adequate
lubrication of the eye. This may be accomplished by:
• Stimulation of tear production through the use of drugs that
increase tear flow.
• Replacement of tears using “artificial tears.”
THIS CONDITION CANNOT BE CURED! HOWEVER, IT IS EASILY
TREATED AND CONTROLLED IN MOST PETS.
