Tear Film Diseases Flashcards
How does the nasolacrimal system work?
- lacrimal gland creates the aqueous portion of tears
- lacrimal puncta wick away excessive tears into the canaliculi and into the NL duct —> nasal punctum
What are 4 functions of precorneal tear film?
- maintain smooth and lubricated optical surface
- protect from dessication and bacteria
- provide the eye with nutrients and growth factors
- waste removal
What are the 3 parts of precorneal tear film? Functions of each?
- LIPID - meibum prevents evaporation and tear overflow (expressed by blinking)
- AQUEOUS - flushing, lubrication, nutrition, antibacterial, protease inhibitors, smooths surface
- MUCIN - stabilizes, helps tears stick to corneal epithelium (hydrophobic), fills in corneal defects, bacteria resistance
What is keratoconjunctivitis sicca? What happens when left untreated?
quantitative dry eye disease due to deficiency of aqueous portion of tear film (most common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs!)
BLINDNESS —> corneal scarring, vascularization, pigmentation
How is KCS diagnosed?
Schirmer tear test I WITHOUT proparacaine to measure reflex (irritation) and basal tearing over a minute
- quantified aqueous tear production
What is the normal value for Schirmer tear tests? What are abnormal values?
> 15 mm/min
- 11-14 mm/min = early or subclinical KCS
- 6-10 mm/min = moderate or mild KCS
- <5 mm/min = severe KCS
What is thought to be the most common cause of KCS? How does it present? What treatment is recommended
immune-mediated - breakdown of blood/tear barrier allows immune destruction of lacrimal glands (usually not associated with other immune diseases)
usually bilateral lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltrates in lacrimal glands
immunomodulatory therapy - topical Cyclosporine
What are 4 additional causes of KCS?
- infectious - distemper, herpes (cats)
- neurogenic - loss of parasympathetic innervation to lacrimal glands
- trauma - facial or trigeminal nerves
- removal of gland of the third eyelid or prolonged uncorrected prolapse
What specific drugs can cause KCS?
- sulfa drugs
- Etodolac (NSAID)
- topical atropine (dries secretions)
- sedation/anesthesia
- radiation therapy
check STT prior to starting these meds!
What is unique about neurogenic KCS?
usually presents unilaterally with a dry nostril
What is the most common congenital cause of KCS?
congenital alacrima - lacrimal gland hypoplasia or aplasia —> Boston Terrier, Yorkie, Pug puppies with painful eyes upon opening
What 3 metabolic diseases can cause KCS?
- hypothyroidism
- DM* - decreased corneal sensitivity, neuropathy
- Cushing’s
decreased tear production
How does immune-mediated KCS compare to other etiologies? What are 3 common signs? What 2 signs are due to chronic irritation/poor nutrition?
tends to be more progressive rather than acute
- red eye
- intermittent mucoid/mucopurulent discharge = mucin overcompensates + prone to bacterial infection due to decreased aqueous compartment of tears
- blepharospasm
corneal vascularization + pigmentary keratitis
What are 5 less common signs of KCS?
- lackluster cornea
- corneal scarring
- ropy, mucoid discharge (white or yellow)
- blepharitis
- periocular alopecia
What is severe purulent discharge indicative of with cases of KCS? How is it diagnosed/treated?
secondary bacterial conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers
conjunctival/corneal cytology
broad-spectrum topical antibiotics + dry eye therapy
KCS, secondary bacterial infection:
corneal ulcer = chronicity
- prone to infection and deepening
What are 3 aspects of KCS medical treatment?
- lacrimostimulation - topical immunomodulation with cyclosporine A or Tacrolimus
- lacrimomimetics - artificial tears —> hyaluronic acid, methycellulose, petrolatum
give both daily, 2-3x a day
What 5 effects do cyclosporine A and Tacrolimus have when treating KCS? How are they able to do this?
- increase aqueous teat production
- decrease inflammation
- normalizes mucin production
- decreases pigmentation
- decreases vascularization
absorned into lacrimal glands
How is response to therapy typically dependent on the severity of KCS?
STT > 2 mm/min = 80% respond to medical therapy, usually within 4-6 weeks
STT < 2 mm/min = 50% respond to medical therapy, can take up to 6 months for response
KCS, medical treatment:
- pigment dispersion
- decreased vascularization
What surgical therapy is available to treat KCS? When is it recommended?
parotid duct transposition - substitutes saliva for normal tears (technically challenging!)
cases of severe and non-responsive KCS (typically congenital)