Spontaneous canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A useful model for human keratoconjunctivitis sicca: treatment with cyclosporine eye drops
R. L. Kaswan, M. A. Salisbury and D. A. Ward
Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Thirty-six sequential cases of canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) were
treated with ophthalmic cyclosporine. The effects of topical cyclosporine
were twofold: (1) cyclosporine increased tear production by 5 mm/min or
greater in all cases of spontaneous KCS having an initial Schirmer's Tear
Test value greater than 2 mm/min and in 59% of eyes with an initial
Schirmer's Tear Test value of 0 to 2 mm/min, and (2) cyclosporine caused
marked regression of chronic corneal neovascularization and granulation
even in eyes in which lacrimation failed to improve. Additional benefits of
topical cyclosporine were reduced mucopurulent conjunctivitis, rapid
healing of nonhealing corneal ulcers, and reduced dependence on frequent
topical treatments of KCS. Twelve normal beagles treated with topical
cyclosporine also had a reversible increase in lacrimation compared with
baseline or placebo control-treated dogs.
