Eye Medications: What’s in the tube?

On a recent visit to the town of Todd in the mountains of North Carolina, I participated in leisurely tubing run down the South Fork of the New River with some dear friends. It was a beautiful, slow pace determined by the current of the water, taking in all the visuals of the mountains. 

A few weeks later I was in Charleston, South Carolina checking out the CSS H.L.Hunley, a Civil War era, hand-cranked powered submarine. 

It was hard to image being in a tube only 4 feet tall by 40 foot long, these men torpedoed the mighty USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on February 17, 1864. This action didn't change the course of the Civil War, but by becoming the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, it altered naval warfare forever.

For the best in breakfast treats in the Charleston area, forget the breakfast rolls in a tube. 

Head to WildFlour Pastries for a Cinnamon or Sticky bun that is the best. Simply cross the Arthur Ravenel Bridge on a Sunday morning, and be in line at 8 AM, as that is the only day they are available.

So what is all this connection to tubes and eye problems in pets?

Pet owners are presented eye (ophthalmic) tubes and bottles of medications every day both from veterinarians and over the Internet advertisers. Some are well documented in studies while others are sketchy at best. At a recent seminar at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Gilger, presented an update on some new eye products. 

ARE THERE EXCLUSIVE  VETERINARY APPROVED EYE PRODUCTS FOR PETS?

There is one main one, Optimmune that treats dry eye of pets (lack of tear production). All others utilized by veterinarians are principally human approved products.

I SAW AN AD FOR AN EYE DROP THAT TREATS CATARACTS? IS THAT A PROVEN PRODUCT?

The product is N-acetyl carnosine drops developed in Russia about a decade ago. It is marketed under various trade names such as Bright eyes, Clarity, and Can-c. The results are questionable improvement in a mild aging change of the lens called lenticular sclerosis as an anti-oxidant, but not other causes of cataracts. It costs $39+ a bottle. Note that such products are considered supplements and are not regulated by the FDA. This allows manufacturers to make a variety of claims without clinical trials to substantiate. NOT RECOMMENDED

DISCUSS SOME NEW OPTIONS TO CONSIDER TREATING EYE CATARACTS.

1.       Lanosterol (naturally occurring steroid) eye drops slows defective proteins from clumping and forming cataracts. Experimentally, this could be a game changer to lower the need for cataract surgery in people and animals. According to the CDC, cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the USA. It may be years before this product is commercially available and would be a lifelong treatment twice a day. RECOMMENDED 

2.       Kinostat (aldose reductive inhibitor) for prevention of diabetic cataracts is an eye medication applied 2 to 3 times a day for life. It needs to started early in the diagnosis. Huge fluctuations in blood glucose lead to cataracts as sugar gets into the lens, converted to sorbitol and the lens swells. . At NCSU college of Veterinary Medicine, 30% of cataract surgery is related to diabetes.  It will be commercially available in the next 2 years. RECOMMENDED

3.       Remend by Virbac, is a good artificial tear and anti-inflammatory eye drop. It contains a cross-linked hyaluronic acid lubricant. Although promoted as a corneal (ulcer) repair drop, there is no documentation and is not FDA approved. A much cheaper version is OTC Blink, artificial tear. NOT RECOMMENDED

Ocean Course club house on Kiawah Island

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Canine & Feline

Hospital Director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Sunset over Charleston Harbor