Subconjunctivally implanted micro-osmotic pumps for continuous ocular treatment in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of using a subconjunctivally implanted micro-osmotic pump for continuous delivery of medication to the eyes of horses- during a 7-day period.


METHODS
4 healthy adult horses.


METHODS
With horses restrained in a standing position, micro-osmotic pumps were implanted subconjunctivally in each eye for 7 days. The treatment eye received an atropine-loaded micro-osmotic pump (100 microl of 1.5% atropine), and the contralateral eye received a sterile saline-loaded pump (100 microl of 0.9% NaCl) as a control treatment. Pupil size was measured at 12-hour intervals until values returned to baseline.


RESULTS
The micro-osmotic pumps were tolerated and did not migrate or become dislodged. During the 7-day treatment period, pupils were significantly larger in the eyes implanted with atropine-loaded pumps, compared with saline-implanted control eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Micro-osmotic pumps were implanted and removed easily from standing horses and were not associated with complications during the 7-day treatment period. Therefore, subconjunctivally implanted micro-osmotic pumps can potentially be used when treating ophthalmic disease in horses.
Blair
M J
MJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1248, USA.
Gionfriddo
J R
JR
Polazzi
L M
LM
Sojka
J E
JE
Pfaff
A M
AM
Bingaman
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000662:veterinary*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000662:veterinary; D009184:Mydriatics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009995:Osmosis; D011897:Random Allocation; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000187:drug effects
D009184:Mydriatics; D001285:Atropine