Optixcare Relieves Dry Eye and Supports Eye Health

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Holly

Vision is an important part of everyday living for dogs and cats, and keeping their eyes healthy is not something us as owners normally think about. Some eye crusts and gunk here and there are normal, but if you notice increased eye secretions, staining, and irritation it could be a larger problem.

Eye diseases can occur for many reasons including genetics, aging, eye injury, and degeneration. Dry eye, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), occurs when not enough tears are produced by the body, or tears cannot lubricate the eye normally. Dry eye can be uncomfortable and cause redness, inflammation, and discharge. Left untreated, dry eye can cause damage to the surface of the eye (cornea) and may result in ulcers and even vision loss. Certain breeds are more likely than others to get dry eye including bulldogs, schnauzers, setters, and cocker spaniels. Corneal ulcers are like an open sore on the surface of the eye, causing pain, irritation, and inflammation. Ulcers can also be caused by injury, infection, and other diseases including Feline Herpes Virus. Fortunately, these eye conditions can be managed and sometimes prevented or delayed with daily care. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are important for catching signs of disease and allow you to discuss any concerns about your pet’s eye health. Optixcare Ophthalmic offers a line of products to hydrate, clean, and protect the eyes for dogs and cats.

Optixcare Eye Lube moisturizes dry eyes by blending with the tears to soothe irritation and discomfort. This hydrating water-based gel allows oxygen exchange in the eye to moisturize without blurring vision. Optixcare Eye Lube also provides dry eye relief for dogs and cats recovering from surgical anesthesia.

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus provides long-lasting hydration with hyaluronic acid. It clings to the surface of the eye and works with the natural tears for continual comfort and protection of the cornea. Eye Lube Plus helps relieve itching and irritation caused by dry eye, allergies, infection, and inflammation.

Optixcare Eye Health is an eye lubricant and nutraceutical that supports and maintains ocular health. It is formulated with 4 different antioxidants that combat free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and damage to the eyes. Preventing oxidation can help reduce inflammation and slow the process of disease, retinal degeneration, and cataracts.

Optixcare Eye Cleaning Wipes provide a convenient and quick way gently clean around the eyes and facial areas. Optixcare Wipes feature a pH-balanced formula to remove eye gunk and soothe irritation. Wipe away secretions or debris from the eyes, reduce buildup, and stubborn tear stains. Ideal for cleansing facial folds and reducing odor.

Optixcare Eye Cleaner gently cleans and soothes the eye and surrounding areas with a gentle, pH balanced solution. It can be used to flush debris, irritants, and secretions directly from the eye, or to remove crusts and stubborn tear stains. Also, use to cleanse facial folds and reduce odor.

Corneal Ulcers: Causes, Treatments in Dogs and Cats

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Wes Hepker

Courtesy of manuelsvay / Flickr: Courtesy of manuelsvay / Flickr

One of the most common age-related issues in human beings, eye problems also affect our furry friends. By the time they reach middle age (ages 7-9), most dogs and cats experience some dwindling of sight. However, when the problem threatens to rob them of their vision overnight, it may be the result of corneal ulceration. Never heard of it before? Keep reading!

The front clear part of the eye, the cornea lets light in and forms a cover over the iris and the pupil. When the sensitive outer layer of skin (the epithelium) that protects the cornea is scraped, scratched, or erodes, the defect is considered a corneal ulcer. In most cases, the condition is extremely painful and will cause pets to squint incessantly or rub at their eyes. However, if the ulcer deepens, spreads, or becomes infected, it can rob an animal of its sight.

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Although more common in dogs, corneal ulcers or ulcerative keratitis does affect cats. The most frequent cause of the condition is obtained injuries. An ulcer may develop because of blunt trauma caused by non-stop rubbing, or a laceration caused by contact with something sharp. Pets that are allowed outdoors may also encounter dangerous chemicals that can burn the cornea. Furthermore, erosion can be caused by irritating substances like dust or shampoo that gets caught in the eye and wears down the epithelium over time.

A far less common cause, corneal ulcers may be the result of viral or bacterial infections that start in the eye and develop into something more serious. More generally, dogs and cats that suffer from dry eye due to decreased tear production (keratoconjunctivitis) are at a greatly elevated risk of developing corneal ulcers.

Symptoms of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

When human beings have an eye issue, they see a doctor immediately. But when a dog or cat has ocular problems, they often try to hide it. When the pain becomes too intense, however, pets generally paw at the affected area; not knowing, of course, that this rubbing only exacerbates the injury. The damaged cornea will also be more sensitive to the light, which means your furry friend will squint, blink, and nictitate more than usual. In some cases, a discharge will accumulate in the corners of the eye and may run down the face. These streaks are often mistaken for tear stains when the true cause is corneal ulcers.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Minor damage caused by scratches, erosion, or abrasions can seldom be seen without the use of special equipment. If the corneal ulcers are suspected, your pet’s veterinarian may perform a fluorescein. This simple test involves a special stain that is placed on the cornea and will immediately adhere to ulcerated areas. Stain tests are generally the only eye tests needed to detect superficial damage to the cornea. But when the damage is more serious, i.e., when the ulcers are very deep, the doctor must take samples for culture and examination before treatment is undertaken.

Treatment options of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Just like any other injury, treatment is based on the extent of the damage; consulting with your pet’s veterinarian is a must.

The good news is most corneal ulcers aren’t really ulcers, they’re abrasions! They distress in only a very small amount of skin loss to the outer layer of the cornea, skin that will grow back. It is for this reason that the most common treatment for corneal ulcers is rest and relaxation. Eye drops like Akwa Tears may be prescribed to prevent bacterial infections and shield the recuperating region, as well as mild analgesics to relieve pain and inflammation.

The bad news is that when corneal ulcers are large and growing, surgery may be required to save the eye. After all, you can’t simply tell your pet to stop scratching at a painful, irritated eye—which means the injury will invariably grow worse over time. The only way to deal with the issue and allow for normal healing is to remove dead or damaged layers of corneal skin and/or perform a corneal graft. Both procedures are extremely painful and expensive and have long recovery times.

Prevention of Corneal Ulcers in Pets in Key

As with most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Corneal ulcers are a progressive, degenerative injury that must be caught before they grow larger or deeper. Failure to do so will cause your furry friend unnecessary pain and may rob him of his sight! Our advice?

Far too many loving pet parents ignore the early warning signs of this potentially serious condition. They don’t do it on purpose, of course. Because these symptoms of corneal ulcers are so broad and could be caused by anything from a virus to seasonal allergies, most overlook fairly obvious signs of ocular irritation. This is perfectly understandable if the symptoms last for only a few hours, but if they persist for any longer, always contact your pet’s veterinarian for advice.

Has your dog or cat suffered from corneal ulcers?

How did your pet get diagnosed? What medications or treatments did your pet’s veterinarian prescribe? How did the treatments help? Let us know by leaving comments in the ‘Leave a reply’ link at the bottom of this post. Thank you.

What You Need to Know about Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Wes Hepker

Our eyes – we take them for granted until something goes wrong! Because it is such a complex, sensitive structure, eye injuries must be taken seriously and treated immediately. This is true for both human beings and their pets, since our eyes are very similar. Like their owners, dogs and cats have corneas, which are transparent coverings that protect the iris and the pupil. When this delicate body part is subject to ulcers, it can be quite painful. Often caused by calcium or lipid deposits, corneal degeneration can cause extreme sensitivity and discomfort, especially in our pets who often suffer in silence. It’s not that their owners are inattentive, but that the disorder can be difficult to discern. In this article we will discuss this all-too-common condition and how to treat it.

The Signs of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If your dog or cat’s eyes are tearing up or overflowing excessively, it could mean he has a corneal ulcer, also called ulcerative keratitis. Of course, it could also mean that he simply has seasonal allergies. Once again, the symptoms of the disorder are quite general, which is why it often goes undiagnosed. With that said, if your pet has more than one of the following symptoms, there’s a pretty good chance his cornea has been damaged or scratched:

Red, irritated eye
Constant squinting
Sensitivity to light
Watery eye
Rubbing at eyes with a paw or into the coat
Eye is forced closed
Unidentified discharge
Opaque film covering the eye

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

The good news is that ulcers can heal rather quickly. But when serious damage has been done, either because of injury or disease, the transparent cells may not heal without immediate medical treatment. The following are the most common reason you may have to take your pet to his doctor if he suffers corneal degeneration:

Traumatic injury
Tear deficiency
Infection
Damage or paralysis of facial nerves
Cannot close eyelids
Something in the eye that cannot be rinsed out
Chemical substance causing irritation

At-risk breeds of Corneal Ulcers

It is also important to mention that certain breeds of cats and dogs are far more likely to suffer from corneal degeneration. Why does this happen? There are several reasons including mechanical and structural ones. Some breeds, for example, have eyelids that tend to roll inward, which causes their eyelashes to swipe the corneal surface, causing immediate irritation. Others have protuberant eyes that actually stick out, making them more susceptible to environmental debris such as dirt and dust.

Although some cat breeds are at a slightly elevated risk of corneal degeneration, certain dog breeds are far more like to suffer from it. As a group, these are canines that tend to have very short noses or snouts and prominent, protuberant eyes. They include breeds like the pug, the boxer, the Boston terrier, the bulldog, and the Pekingese. Boxers, in particular, have a much higher risk of developing severe, debilitating cases of this disease than any other dogs.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If you suspect your furry friend has corneal ulcers, you should make an appointment with his veterinarian as soon as possible. A thorough eye examination that includes inspection of the cornea will be conducted to confirm or rule out any structural damage that is the result of an ulcer or corneal erosion. It may also be necessary for his doctor to take samples and test them for fungi and bacteria infection, which are typically caused by conjunctivitis. Finally, the veterinarian may need to complete a blood test to rule out possible viral infections in your pet.

Treatment of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

As with most illnesses, the treatment depends on the underlying cause. If the corneal ulcers are deep and they are growing, your veterinarian may recommend surgery, although this should be considered a last resort. With older animals, who are the most commonly affected group, surgery can be quite risky. Instead, your dogs/cat’s doctor might simply opt to put a large, lampshade-shaped collar on him/her to prevent them from scratching at the affected eye and aggravating the injury.

If the ulcers are merely superficial, your vet may simply take a cotton swap and use it to remove the outer, loose layers of the cornea that are causing the irritation. This is often a quick-fix option that provides only temporary relief, but it is far less risky than actual surgery. In fact, managing corneal ulcers rather than curing them is the most popular option, especially for older dogs and cats.

In the event of a bacterial infection, antibiotics must be prescribed and are often applied topically, directly to the eye. Pain and inflammation can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by your pet’s veterinarian. Eye drops like Remend Corneal Repair Drops may also be used to soothe irritated eye and to stimulate tear production. For additional products to improve your beloved pets’ peepers, check out our selection of eye health products for dogs and cats.