EFFECTS OF AUTOLOGOUS SERUM EYE DROPS FOR TREATMENT OF KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA IN DOGS

In humans, autologous serum (AS) eye drops has been applied for the treatment of refractory keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) for several decades. However, there are few researches to investigate the AS eye drops in dogs with KCS. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of AS eye drops on treatment of KCS in dogs. Eighteen eyes of ten client-owned dogs with refractory KCS were used in this study. Schirmer tear test (STT), tear film breakup time (TBUT), fluorescein (FL) staining score, and Rose Bengal (RB) staining score were used to measure the status of cornea prospectively at baseline and 1–3 months after treatment. Additionally, the results were further stratified by their STT value, sex, and age. The results indicated that the mean TBUT, FL staining score, and RB staining score were significantly improved after treatment except STT. In 18 eyes, 77.8% eyes had decreased mucopurulent ocular discharge and 38.9% eyes got wet. Besides, both TBUT and RB staining score were significantly improved in a subgroup of dogs with age less than 9 years old. As far as we know, this study is the first trial to determine the efficacy and safety of 20% AS eye drops for cKCS. In conclusion, AS eye drops seemed to be effective and safe for dogs with KCS, and it could improve tear film stability, ocular surface health, and subjective clinical symptoms, especially in dogs younger than 9 years old.