Eyes are sensitive structures and can easily become irritated, both in humans and in pets. While we frequently treat pets for acute, severe ophthalmic conditions, it’s easy for mild, chronic irritation to be missed. However, persistent discomfort can have a significant impact on pets’ quality of life.
While eye drops are frequently used by humans to soothe and lubricate our own sore eyes, their use in pets has historically been more limited to the treatment of specific medical conditions. While lubrication is a valuable tool in such treatment plans, it’s also an essential home-care tool for owners of pets prone to ocular irritation. Offering a safe and effective ocular lubricant to your clients can both alleviate their pets’ discomfort and prevent use of unsuitable alternatives.
Identifying irritated eyes
Soothing sore eyes relies on spotting them first. In many cases this is fairly easy, with patients presenting with clear blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperaemia as a result of bacterial conjunctivitis, for example. In others, however, the signs can be more subtle or may not be visible in practice at all.
Possible clinical signs include:
- Rubbing the face on furniture
- Increased frequency of blinking
- Mild blepharospasm (sometimes only at specific times)
- Intermittently holding an eye partially closed
- Persistent discharge
- Conjunctival hyperaemia in the absence of an acute infection
It’s also important to note that soothing irritation isn’t the only reason to recommend ocular lubrication.
When to consider ocular lubrication
Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis may be the first thought to spring to mind, but there are many other causes of conjunctival inflammation.
Canine allergic conjunctivitis, for example, has been identified in 60% of dogs suffering from atopy1, but specific ocular care is not a typical treatment recommendation for atopic patients. Canine distichiasis, ectopic cilia and canine entropion can also cause substantial conjunctival irritation, and there can be a significant delay between diagnosis and targeted treatment in which ocular irritation continues to affect dogs’ quality of life.
Lubrication can play a central role in non-infectious canine conjunctivitis treatment plans. Whether the aim is for long-term conservative care or short-term support while awaiting further treatment, a soothing lubricant such as Oculeze™ can provide relief and reduce ocular irritation.
Canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca
It may not be the only reason to lubricate pets’ eyes, but canine dry eye is certainly on the list. While effective treatment of canine dry eye typically requires medication, if this isn’t an option or there is a delay between diagnosis and effective control, lubrication can help to alleviate dogs’ clinical signs.
Regular lubrication can both relieve pain and reduce the risk of secondary complications. Oculeze™ remains on the surface of the eye for twice as long as non-lipid preparations2, ensuring patients benefit from long-lasting relief.
Evaporative dry eye
Canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca has classically been used to refer to a deficiency of aqueous tear production; however, canine dry eye isn’t limited to only this. Evaporative dry eye is the other, less frequently diagnosed, form of canine dry eye.
Evaporative dry eye can be caused by various factors, including exophthalmos (protrusion of the eye, common in brachycephalic breeds), neurological deficits affecting blinking, and abnormalities in the lipid layer of the tear film, which usually slows evaporation.
Exophthalmos is particularly relevant, with many practices seeing affected patients on a daily basis. Affected dogs not only have a larger exposed corneal surface to coat with tears, but also frequently cannot blink effectively as their eyelids are not able to fully close (lagophthalmos).
These dogs frequently have reduced corneal sensitivity, meaning their pain levels and behaviour often don’t correspond to the clinical severity of any ocular lesions. However, the increased exposure and dryness of the cornea leave them prone to ulceration and other complications, including pigmentary and vascular keratitis.
A thorough investigative work-up should be carried out in such patients, and those with significant ocular issues may benefit from more involved treatments including surgery or long-term medication. However, ocular lubrication can also be beneficial, even in the absence of clear irritation, helping to prevent dryness and progression of conjunctival lesions.
Older pets
Pets often need a little more support as they age, and their eyes are no exception. Tear production falls as dogs age3, leaving them more prone to ocular irritation. Older dogs are also more likely to suffer from neurological conditions which may affect their ability to blink.
For older pets who have begun to suffer from more mucoid ocular discharge or show signs of mild ocular irritation, a hydrating lubricant can help to keep their eyes clean and comfortable.
Summary
Offering pet owners a safe and effective way to support their pets’ ocular health and soothe irritation is important in practice. In addition to alleviating pain and preventing secondary complications, engaging with owners and supporting them with home care can help with longer-term compliance and prevent the use of unsafe products.
Oculeze™ is an easy-to-apply glycerine-based hydrating eye lubricant for dogs, cats and other pets. The long-lasting formula is safe to use alongside veterinary prescribed medication with no contraindications and beneficial for any ocular condition where additional moisture or lubrication is indicated. Find out more.
References
- Lourenço-Martins, A.M., Delgado, E., Neto, I., Peleteiro, M.C., Morais-Almeida, M. and Correia, J.H. (2011) Allergic conjunctivitis and conjunctival provocation tests in atopic dogs. Vet Ophthalmol. 14(4):248-256. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00874.x
- Data available on request
- Hartley, C., Williams, D.L. and Adams, V.J. (2006) Effect of age, gender, weight, and time of day on tear production in normal dogs. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 9: 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2005.00437.x
