What is It?
Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, describes any condition that damages the ability to produce adequate tear film to lubricate the eye.
What Causes It?
There are several factors that can cause dry eye.
- Immune system dysfunction – causes damage to the tear gland, this is considered a hereditary issue in many breeds including: Westies, Shih tzus, pugs, Pekingese, Yorkies, American Cocker Spaniels, bloodhounds, Boston terriers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, bulldogs, English springer spaniels, mini schnauzers, Samoyed, Lhasa apso
- Medication – dry eye is a possible side effect from other medications – typically this is not permanent and will discontinue when the medicine is no longer taken
- Endocrine condition – hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, and other systematic conditions can cause lack of tear production
- Infections – other illness can attack the tear gland
- Medical procedures – Surgery to address other issues may see the removal of the tear gland
- Traumatic injury – injuries to the eye may impact the tear gland
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What Are The Symptoms?
- Excessive blinking
- Squinting
- Redness in eye
- Eye discharge
- Squeezing eyes shut
- Pain
- Corneal scarring
- Corneal ulcer
Is it Life Threatening?
No. It is painful and can lead to blindness without proper treatment.
How is It Diagnosed?
A veterinarian will perform a Schirmer Tear Test. This is completely painless and is completed in around a minute. The moisture level from that minute will be evaluated. Depending on severity, your vet may recommend a fluorescein stain to detect a corneal ulcer.
What Are The Treatments?
The source and severity of dry eye will dictate the treatment. Medication like cyclosporine or tacrolimus may be prescribed to stimulate tear production.
Artificial tears can help to lubricate the eye, only use with doctor recommendation. Antibiotics may be needed to correct the root cause of the dry eye.
Parotid duct transposition surgery, is only recommended in the most severe conditions. This surgery reroutes part of the saliva glands to the eye for lubrication.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pup’s condition, please make an appointment with your veterinarian. Or, consult a virtual vet here.