Treat dog’s dry eye to avoid vision loss, blindness; can be controlled
Ask the Vet
Q: The vet just told me that my Pug, “Lilly,” has dry eye. Coincidentally, I have dry eye, too. Can I just use my Restasis drops on her? A.W., Farragut
A: Cyclosporine, the medication in Restasis, is the same drug we use for dogs with dry eye. Interestingly, dogs require a higher concentration of that drug for it to be effective, and that is the difference in human and canine dry eye medications. It is simply a species difference. So Restasis would not hurt Lilly at all, but it is unlikely to be strong enough to help her.
“Dry eye,” or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), does occur with increased frequency in certain breeds, including Pugs. The medication can take 8-to-12 weeks for adequate tear production to peak. Some dogs will require a higher concentration of cyclosporine, and this can be formulated by a compounding pharmacy, made specifically for an individual patient.
Clinical signs to watch for in Lilly include yellow or green discharge, red eyes or dry/dull appearing corneas. Secondary bacterial infections can occur. Untreated KCS can decrease vision and cause eventual blindness. Although dry eye requires lifelong treatment with the potential for future dosage adjustments, this disease can be managed. Best of luck to you and Lilly.
If you have questions about your pet, you may e-mail Dr. Myers at lenoircityac@gmail.com
