Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) and its Therapeutic management with Ophthalmic Nanosomal Tacrolimus in Dogs

The present clinical study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ophthalmic nanosomal tacrolimus solution for the management of Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) in dogs. Twenty four eyes of fifteen dogs of different breeds were found affected with Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca on ophthalmic examination and Schirmer Tear Test (STT). Tear production (STT values) in these cases was ≤ 10 mm/min. Each eye was instilled with 0.03% of nanosomal tacrolimus lipid based ophthalmic solution twice daily for 8 weeks. Tear production was evaluated by STT and ophthalmic examination carried out at 0, 4, and 8^th week. Tacrolimus ophthalmic solution effectively increased tear production in 91.6% eyes (22/24). One dog did not complete the trial and in other one response was only 25%. Two cases unresponsive to cyclosporine solution showed satisfactory increase in tear production with tacrolimus.