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Presumed neuroprotective therapies prescribed by veterinary ophthalmologists for canine degenerative retinal and optic nerve diseases
Author(s) -
Hopper Ryan G.,
MontianiFerreira Fabiano,
Silva Pereira Jorge,
Fritz Michele C.,
Ruggiero Vickie J.,
Sapienza John S.,
Kato Kumiko,
Komáromy András M.
Publication year - 2021
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.12878
Subject(s) - medicine , glaucoma , ophthalmology , neuroprotection , optic nerve , ocular hypertension , veterinary medicine
Objective To investigate veterinary ophthalmologists’ use of presumed neuroprotective therapies for degenerative retinal and optic nerve diseases in dogs. Procedures An online survey was sent to 663 board‐certified veterinary ophthalmologists who were Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO), Asian College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (AiCVO), Latin American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (Colegio Latinoamericano de Oftalmólogos Veterinarios, CLOVE), or European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO). The survey was created using Qualtrics® software and focused on the prescription of presumed neuroprotective treatments for canine glaucoma, sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and retinal detachment (RD). Results A total of 165 completed surveys were received, representing an overall response rate of 25%, which was comparable across the four specialty colleges. Of all respondents, 140/165 (85%) prescribed some form of presumed neuroprotective therapies at least once in the last five years: 114/165 (69%) for glaucoma, 51/165 (31%) for SARDS, 116/165 (70%) for PRA, and 50/165 (30%) for RD. The three most recommended neuroprotective reagents were the commercial Ocu‐GLO™ Vision Supplement for animals, amlodipine, and human eye supplements. Conclusions Despite lack of published clinical efficacy data, the majority of surveyed board‐certified veterinary ophthalmologists previously prescribed a presumed neuroprotective therapy at least once in the last five years in dogs with degenerative retinal and optic nerve diseases.