Keratoconjunctival effects of diabetes mellitus in dogs

Abstract

Diabetic cataractous dogs have significantly altered keratoconjunctival characteristics compared to nondiabetic cataractous and nondiabetic noncataractous dogs.

Effect of once daily topical 0.3% naltrexone on tear parameters and corneal sensitivity in dogs with uncontrolled keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a double‐masked randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial

“…In studies of rats with induced type 1 diabetes mellitus, tear production and corneal sensitivity have been noted to decline approximately 5 weeks after induction and remain low thereafter . Similar decreases in corneal sensitivity and tear production have also been shown in diabetic people and dogs . The mechanism underlying this decrease is currently unknown but is postulated to be the result of a peripheral neuropathy affecting both the sensory afferent nerves innervating the ocular surface and those innervating the lacrimal gland.…”

Retrospective study of the prevalence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in diabetic and nondiabetic dogs after phacoemulsification

“…The clinical finding of an increased prevalence of KCS in diabetic dogs compared to nondiabetic dogs after phacoemulsification is not surprising. Both quantitative and qualitative tear abnormalities may predispose diabetic dogs to KCS more so than nondiabetic dogs after cataract surgery . Both human and canine studies have shown through corneal aesthesiometry that there is a trend toward lower corneal sensation in the diabetic cataractous group compared to the nondiabetic cataractous group, likely resulting in a decrease in the reflex component of tear production and a subsequent overall decrease in aqueous tear volume .…”

Retrospective analysis of ocular neuropathies in diabetic dogs following cataract surgery

“…Most cases of canine DM are insulin dependent, and therefore behave similarly to type 1 DM with an autoimmune etiology in human patients . Established ocular manifestations of canine DM include cataracts, corneal endothelial cell loss, endothelial cell pleomorphism and polymegathism, decreased corneal sensitivity, increased susceptibility to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and to a lesser extent, retinopathy due to microaneurysms . In addition, DM has been associated with neuropathies in both dogs and humans …”