Introduction
Non-surgical treatment options for dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in cats involves using a number of lubricating eye drops in addition to drops which cut through the mucosal layer that forms over the eye in KCS conditions. Cats that are suffering from KCS due to chronic feline herpesvirus may benefit from supportive immune therapies.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Eye drops that are used to treat KCS in cats include artificial tears, antibiotic eye drops that are used to clear any existing infection, and mucolytic eye drops which help to dissolve the thick mucosal layer on the eyes. Mucolytic eye drops are needed to reduce scratching on the cornea and increase the effectiveness of the other eye drops that are administered.
Artificial tears will need to be administered at least four to six times a day to prevent KCS. Two types of medications, cyclosporine and pilocarpine, may also help to increase tear production. Cyclosporine is administered in eye drop form, and pilocarpine is usually mixed in the cat’s food. However, it is still debatable if these medications really help to increase tear production in cats.
Antibiotic eye drops are usually needed for a short period of time to clear up inflammation and infection that occurred when the eye became dry. Once the eyes remain lubricated, then antibiotic drops should no longer be required. Mucolytic eye drops such as acetylcysteine are needed throughout the treatment, in addition to artificial tears, to ensure that a layer of mucus does not continue to build on the eye surfaces.
Chronic feline herpes virus cannot be treated, but bouts of the virus can be controlled through antiviral medications, nutritional support, and creating a stress free environment for the cat.