Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Tear osmolarity test for dry eye in normal dogs and dogs with KCS
By Sebbag, Lionel et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2017·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Assessment of tear film osmolarity using the TearLabosmometer in normal dogs and dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Beagle dogs, including six healthy ones and five with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), were studied to see how tear film osmolarity (a measure of tear quality) could help diagnose KCS. The dogs with KCS had lower tear osmolarity levels compared to the healthy dogs, but after receiving treatment with a topical medication (2% cyclosporine) for five months, their tear osmolarity improved. This suggests that measuring tear osmolarity can be useful in diagnosing and monitoring KCS in dogs. However, it was noted that multiple readings are needed for accurate results.
People also search for: dog eye problems · Beagle KCS treatment · tear film osmolarity in dogs · cyclosporine for dog eye issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate repeatability and reproducibility of tear osmolarity measured using the TearLabosmometer in normal dogs and to assess its diagnostic potential in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). ANIMALS STUDIED: Beagle dogs; six normal and five with KCS. PROCEDURES: Tear osmolarity and Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) values were obtained at various times. Normal dogs were assessed for diurnal variation and repeatability and reproducibility of measurements. Dogs with KCS were evaluated before and after 5 months' topical twice-daily therapy with 2% cyclosporine. RESULTS: Mean ± SD tear osmolarity (mOsm/L) was significantly higher in normal dogs (337.4 ± 16.2) than in dogs with KCS before therapy (306.2 ± 18.0; P < 0.0001), but not following therapy with 2% cyclosporine (330.5 ± 13.7; P = 1.00). Osmolarity readings lower than 325.5 mOsm/L were suggestive of KCS (84.8% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity). In normal dogs, tear osmolarity readings were stable during the daytime (P = 0.99). Repeated measurements revealed high variability and typically poor-to-moderate repeatability and reproducibility, although this was improved by taking three successive measurements at each session. Considering combined data from all dogs, a positive correlation existed between STT-1 and tear osmolarity measurements (Pearson's correlation test, P = 0.04, r = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Canine tear osmolarity as determined by TearLabosmometer was variable, required multiple readings to be informative, and differed from values reported for humans. Dogs with KCS had a lower tear osmolarity than did normal dogs, and this increased following cyclosporine therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27761982/