title: Use of episcleral cyclosporine implants in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca: pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use, tolerability, and efficacy of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine (ESMC) implants in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study. ESMC implants (1.9 cm length, 30% wt/wt CsA in silicone; with approximately 12 mg of CsA loaded into them) were used in dogs with KCS responsive to topical CsA (good candidate, GC) or not responsive (poor candidate, PC). Ocular surface inflammation scores, Schirmer tear test (STT) values, and ocular discharge quantity were evaluated and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven eyes (15 dogs) received an ESMC implant for KCS; 15 eyes were considered GC, and 12 were considered PC. Both GC eyes and PC eyes showed a significant increase in STT values (increase of 7.7 and 8.5 mm/min; P = 0.023 and P = 0.003, respectively) after placement of ESMC implants (mean follow-up 18 ± 2 and 10.4 ± 15 months, respectively). Clinical signs improved significantly in both groups during the same follow-up, with reduction in conjunctival hyperemia (P < 0.001), corneal neovascularization (P = 0.004), corneal opacity (P = 0.003), and ocular discharge (P = 0.002). ESMC implants were well tolerated by all dogs, but two eyes lost the device at 12-months and 1-week follow-up, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study suggest that the EMSC implants were well tolerated and efficacious in dogs with KCS responsive to topical CsA as well as dogs with poor response to topical therapy. Further study is needed to determine the duration of efficacy and optimal dose of CsA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barachetti
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rampazzo
authors.forename: Carlo M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mortellaro
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scevola
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Gilger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine
keywords: cyclosporine; dog; dry eye; implant; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; sustained release delivery