Introduction
KCS, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or Dry Eye, is a condition in which the tear ducts are unable to produce enough tears to adequately moisturize the eye. The condition can occur in both cats and dogs. In dogs the condition is most often the result of an autoimmune disorder, trauma to the eye, or the effects of distemper infections.
Symptoms of KCS
In early cases, the dog’s eye may appear red and/or covered with mucous. This film of mucous over the eye occurs when small amounts of mucous that are normally over the eye, as a component of lubrication, are not diluted by the water moisture from tears. As a result the mucous builds up and dries out on the eye.
The clinical signs of advanced KCS include squinting and vision loss as a result of discomfort from the dry eyes and corneal ulceration or scarring.
Diagnosing KCS
The diagnosis of KCS or Dry EYE, begins with discussing the dog’s past history, reviewing symptoms, blood work to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the condition, and a through eye examination.
Testing for KCS
The veterinarian has a number of methods to diagnose whether or not dry eye is present. Most notable among these is a Schirmer tear test, a simple test in which a strip of special paper is placed inside the lower eyelid. The vet then measures how much moisture wicks up the paper in 60 seconds. This is measured, and if the reading is low, then dry eye is a distinct possibility.
Treating KCS
Treatment of KCS involves using eye medications to moisturize the eye, increase tear flow, and decrease mucous buildup. The mainstay of treatment in dogs involves drops of a medication that halts the body’s immune system from destroying the tear gland. In severe cases a surgical treatment can be used. This treatment is referred to as parotid duct transplantation and involves transplanting the saliva gland up towards the tear ducts.
Outlook for Pets with KCS
The prognosis for KCS is usually good, although the animal’s eye sight can become affected if the conditions is not diagnosed early and managed properly. The treatments for KCS can be challenging for pet owners as the eye drops usually need to be placed in the eyes multiple times a day for life, and often some form of eye lubrication is still periodically needed after parotid duct transplantation surgery.