title: Efficacy of zinc citrate ascorbate for treatment of canine cataracts.
abstract: Efficacy of zinc citrate ascorbate was evaluated in 146 dogs (265 eyes) that had various lens opacities. Zinc citrate ascorbate or saline placebo drops were applied topically once or twice daily for 4 to 31 weeks. Of 138 eyes treated with zinc citrate ascorbate, 86 eyes (62.3%) had no change, 48 eyes (34.8%) had increased lens opacity, and 4 eyes (2.9%) had decreased lens opacity. Of 127 eyes treated with a saline placebo, 99 eyes (77.9%) had no change, 25 eyes (19.7%) had increased lens opacity, and 3 eyes (2.4%) had decreased lens opacity. Zinc citrate ascorbate drops were not significantly (P = less than 0.05) more effective in clearing cataracts than were saline drops. Seemingly, zinc citrate ascorbate drops may have caused lens opacities to increase in area and density.
authors.affiliation: Animal Eye Clinic, San Diego, CA 92108.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Munger
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Scagliotti
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bellhorn
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Dice
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002386:Cataract / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002951:Citrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019343:Citric Acid; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates; D019343:Citric Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid