Use of episcleral cyclosporine implants in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca: pilot study

• Published in: Veterinary ophthalmology 2015-05, Vol.18 (3), p.234-241
• Main Authors: Barachetti, Laura, Rampazzo, Antonella, Mortellaro, Carlo M., Scevola, Stefania, Gilger, Brian C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Conjunctiva - drug effects; cyclosporine; Cyclosporine - administration & dosage; Cyclosporine - therapeutic use; dog; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dogs; dry eye; Female; Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage; implant; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - drug therapy; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - veterinary; Male; Prostheses and Implants - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; sustained release delivery
• ISSN: 1463-5216; 1463-5224
• DOI: 10.1111/vop.12173

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 CsA in silicone; with approximately 12 mg of CsA loaded into them) were used in dogs with KCS responsive to topical CsA (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