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Use of episcleral cyclosporine implants in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca: pilot study
Author(s) -
Barachetti Laura,
Rampazzo Antonella,
Mortellaro Carlo M.,
Scevola Stefania,
Gilger Brian C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/vop.12173
Subject(s) - medicine , tolerability , implant , ophthalmology , surgery , adverse effect
Purpose To describe the use, tolerability, and efficacy of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine ( ESMC ) implants in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca ( KCS ). Methods Retrospective study. ESMC implants (1.9 cm length, 30% wt/wt C s A in silicone; with approximately 12 mg of C s A loaded into them) were used in dogs with KCS responsive to topical C s A (good candidate, GC ) or not responsive (poor candidate, PC ). Ocular surface inflammation scores, Schirmer tear test ( STT ) values, and ocular discharge quantity were evaluated and compared. Results Twenty‐seven eyes (15 dogs) received an ESMC implant for KCS ; 15 eyes were considered GC , and 12 were considered PC . Both GC eyes and PC eyes showed a significant increase in STT values (increase of 7.7 and 8.5 mm/min; P = 0.023 and P = 0.003, respectively) after placement of ESMC implants (mean follow‐up 18 ± 2 and 10.4 ± 15 months, respectively). Clinical signs improved significantly in both groups during the same follow‐up, with reduction in conjunctival hyperemia ( P < 0.001), corneal neovascularization ( P = 0.004), corneal opacity ( P = 0.003), and ocular discharge ( P = 0.002). ESMC implants were well tolerated by all dogs, but two eyes lost the device at 12‐months and 1‐week follow‐up, respectively. Conclusions Results from this study suggest that the EMSC implants were well tolerated and efficacious in dogs with KCS responsive to topical C s A as well as dogs with poor response to topical therapy. Further study is needed to determine the duration of efficacy and optimal dose of C s A .