Brighter Skies for Dry Eyes

By Michael Lamping, DVM

          Chances are we've all had a little dust blown into our eyes, causing them to water up with tears.  Imagine not being able to create enough tears to relieve your eyes of this discomfort.  Soon they would become itchy, irritated, and red.  This is a constant sensation for those experiencing a tear deficiency appropriately coined "dry eye". 

            Dry eye is formally known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS.  You may know someone personally affected by KCS.  They can attest to the discomfort associated with not having adequate tears to blink and protect the surface of their eyes.  Commonly affecting dogs and rarely cats, dry eye incites similar levels of discomfort in pets.  The onset may be gradual but is often sudden.  Most cases are caused by an immune system disorder that affects the tear-producing glands.  Frequently, no other factor can be isolated to explain the cause, but I have seen dry eye result from facial injury on a boxer, leading to temporary damage of the nerves that control tear release.  I have also diagnosed KCS in a 12 week old puppy as an adverse effect to an antibiotic.  Thankfully, both of these patients recovered fully, but many dogs require daily treatment for the remainder of their lives.

            Because of reduced tear protection of the cornea allowing bacteria to invade, painful corneal ulcers frequently accompany this disease.  Some of the most significant corneal ulcerations are seen in dogs with dry eye. 

            If your dog displays itchy, red, goopy eyes, especially if he is one of the predisposed breeds like cocker spaniels, Westies, or shi tzus, don't assume that you are observing chronic allergy symptoms.  Have your pet examined by your veterinarian and tested for KCS using a simple test to measure tear production.  Beginning appropriate treatment can restore or replace tear production and bring welcomed relief.