Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cryotherapy treatment for chronic eyelid inflammation in dogs
By Kim, Hyun-Wook et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2024·Department of Veterinary Ophthalmology, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Preliminary clinical evaluation of the treatment efficacy of a temperature-adjustable cryotherapy device for chronic, recurrent blepharitis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five dogs with chronic blepharitis, a condition causing itchy and inflamed eyelids, were treated with a special cryotherapy device that uses cold temperatures. These dogs had not responded to regular steroid treatments. After the cryotherapy sessions, all dogs showed a significant decrease in itching, and their tear film quality improved. While some redness and swelling improved in a few cases, overall, the treatment showed promise as a new option for dogs that can't take systemic steroids.
People also search for: dog itchy eyelids treatment · cryotherapy for dog blepharitis · chronic eye problems in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily evaluate the treatment efficacy of a temperature-adjustable cryotherapy device for chronic, recurrent blepharitis in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Five dogs (eight eyes) of different breeds with blepharitis, which was unresponsive to systemic steroids. PROCEDURES: The dogs were subjected to ophthalmic examination, including Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1), tear film break-up time (TFBUT) test, and slit-lamp biomicroscope examination. Cryotherapy was performed using a device featuring precise low-temperature control. A bandage lens and ointment (2% hypromellose) were applied before cryotherapy to protect the cornea. Carbon dioxide gas at 0°C was sprayed on the lesion for 10 s. In all patients, only topical antibiotics and corticosteroid were applied twice a day; systemic corticosteroids were not used. Pruritus and ocular discharge were scored based on the visual analog scale (VAS) before and 3 weeks after cryotherapy. Qualitative changes in tear film were measured using STT-1 and a TFBUT test. The effects on erythema and swelling were evaluated by ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: Pruritus improvement was confirmed in all eight eyes (five dogs). After cryotherapy, the average VAS score of pruritus significantly decreased from 4.12 ± 2.64 to 0.37 ± 0.51 (p < .001), and the average TFBUT significantly increased from 5.75 ± 4.80 to 13.75 ± 4.43 (p = .010). STT-1 and the VAS score of ocular discharge did not significantly differ. Erythema and swelling were improved in three out of eight eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Cryotherapy is effective in treating blepharitis with pruritus and may become a new treatment option in patients in whom systemic corticosteroids are difficult to administer.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39616539/