Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Tear film differences in French Bulldogs vs other dogs
By Spornberger, Joschka et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·Animal Eye Practice, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Tear film characteristics in French bulldogs vs. non-brachycephalic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
French Bulldogs may have a higher risk of eye problems due to differences in their tear film compared to other dog breeds. In a study, healthy French Bulldogs showed signs of a tear film deficiency, which can lead to conditions like dry eye disease. They had higher tear production but lower tear stability than non-brachycephalic (non-flat-faced) dogs. This means that while they produce more tears, those tears may not last as long, potentially causing discomfort or other eye issues. Pet owners should be aware of these risks and discuss any eye-related symptoms with their veterinarian.
People also search for: French Bulldog eye problems · dog dry eye treatment · why is my dog squinting
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the tear film characteristics of healthy French Bulldogs and compare them with healthy dogs of mesocephalic and dolichocephalic breeds. METHODS: French Bulldogs and non-brachycephalic dogs considered healthy underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Tear osmolarity was tested with the ScoutPro® osmolarity system and a tear film analysis, including interferometry, non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height measurement (TMH) and meibography using the I.C.P. OSA-Vet® was performed. RESULTS: French Bulldogs had a significantly higher Schirmer Tear Test I (19.05 ± 4.00 vs. 16.88 ± 3.54, = 0.017), a higher TMH (0.64 ± 0.20 vs. 0.31 ± 0.22, = 9×10), a lower interferometry grading and a reduced NIBUT (7.39 ± 3.32 vs. 14.74 ± 5.92, = 3.5×10) compared to the control group. Differences in tear osmolarity were not statistically significant between the groups (296.6 ± 13.6 vs. 299.8 ± 16.1, = 0.40). CONCLUSION: The tear film in healthy French Bulldogs shows signs of a qualitative tear film deficiency/evaporative dry eye disease (EDED) compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. The influence of the altered tear film on diseases of the ocular surface in French Bulldogs needs to be further investigated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41451333/