Evaluation of changes in lacrimal canaliculi width depending on temperature and viscosity of eye drops using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in the width of the lower lacrimal canaliculi (LC) upon instillation of artificial tears (AT) at different temperatures and viscosities using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). ANIMAL STUDIED: Eight eyes of four client-owned adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Imaging of lower LC was performed under general anesthesia. AT at temperatures of 2°C, 20°C, and 38°C, and a high-viscosity tear gel of 20°C, were topically instilled in 100 µL volumes. SD-OCT tracked LC width changes following each instillation. RESULTS: The average baseline width of the LC was 96.38 ± 30.18 µm. The 2°C AT expanded LC width to 183.50 ± 44.11 µm, returning to baseline in 5.00 ± 1.31 min. The 20°C AT resulted in a width of 155.25 ± 35.79 µm, with a 3.88 ± 1.25 min return. The 38°C AT expanded LC width to 131.75 ± 29.49 µm, with a 2.25 ± 0.89 min return. The high-viscosity tear gel expanded LC width to 208.57 ± 56.31 µm, with remained expanded for 10 or more minutes. In temperature comparisons, the 2°C and 20°C AT significantly expanded the LC width more and had longer return times than the 38°C AT (p < .05). Viscosity comparisons showed higher viscosity eye drops significantly expanded LC width more than lower viscosity eye drops (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that lower temperature and higher viscosity of eye drops had tendency to result in a wider expansion of the LC width. Additionally, the return time to baseline for LC width tended to be longer with eye drops of lower temperature and higher viscosity. This finding could be helpful in advancing future research on tear dynamics.

Tumor-like lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis in the third eyelid in a dog.

This report aims to describe a case of tumor-like lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis in a 7-year-old spayed-female Pomeranian. On complete ophthalmic examination, a mass with papillary projections was noted on the bulbar surface of the right third eyelid. Debulking of the mass was performed while preserving as much of the third eyelid as possible. On the histopathological examination, the mass was diagnosed as lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis with mild epithelial hyperplasia. Although a slight regrowth of the mass was noted 3 weeks after surgery, intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to its disappearance. There was no further recurrence after 5 months.