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Dry Eye Awareness promotional pack

Dry Eye Awareness promotional pack

Bayer Addresses The Worrying Gap In KCS Client Knowledge Ahead Of Dry Eye Awareness Month In July

6 years ago
1572 views

Posted
29th June, 2018 10h53

Author
Bayer HealthCare


In the run up to the annual Dry Eye Awareness Month in July, Bayer, distributor of Remend™ Dry Eye Lubricant Drops for dogs has highlighted the worrying knowledge gap in client awareness of the condition and the need for better education on the risks the condition poses, especially for predisposed breeds.

A survey discovered that nearly half (45%)1 of dog owners were not aware that dogs can suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or Dry Eye, despite the condition affecting up to 1 in 20 dogs.2      

28% of dog owners surveyed also admit that they don’t specifically check their dog’s eyes for problems and nearly 30% do not feel confident in assessing their dog’s eyes if they are required to do so.1

Ocular conditions account for around 10% of canine consultations in first opinion practice3, and one of the most common of these is KCS, affecting around 5% of dogs.2  The risk in predisposed breeds, such as Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and West Highland White Terriers is even higher, with around 20% of dogs of these breeds being affected.4 

In the case of KCS, early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on prognosis, and it is advised that a Schirmer Tear Test is performed yearly in predisposed breeds so that the disease can be picked up early, and an appropriate treatment plan initiated. 

Chris Dixon, director at Veterinary Vision Ophthalmic Referrals, said: “KCS cases often present with subtle clinical signs that may not be obvious from initial observations and a Schirmer Tear Test is needed to  detect them. Unless vets are actively discussing the condition with owners, and performing these tests on a regular basis, there is a risk that some affected dogs could remain untreated, as the condition slowly worsens.”

Chris continues: “In the majority of cases, lifelong therapy is needed, with both cyclosporine treatment and also long-term tear supplementation.  Client education is a key part of successful disease management. When it comes to tear replacement therapy, many owners don’t have the time to administer drops throughout the day, and considering tear supplements that need less frequent application can be useful to aid owner compliance.”  C

In response to the statistics and to assist vets in educating their clients about the risks of KCS, Bayer has produced a Dry Eye Awareness pack which includes educational materials such as a waiting room wall display and an additional KCS educational guide - ‘Vision Matters – A Focus on Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca’ in partnership with ophthalmologist Chris Dixon is also available to order.

Lauren Mottram, Group Brand Manager at Bayer said: “With this significant gap in owner understanding of the occurrence and significance of KCS in dogs, it was clear that more needed to be done to encourage owners of at-risk breeds to talk to their vet about testing. The focus of Dry Eye Awareness Month is to help support vets in educating their client base about KCS, through a range of practice and client materials. We hope vets will join us in utilising the month as a platform from which to discuss the prevalence and potential seriousness of the condition if left untreated.’’ 

 

Alongside treatment for the underlying condition, tear supplementation is a crucial part of managing this condition.  The long-lasting lubrication provided by Remend™ Dry Eye Lubricant Drops makes it a useful option to aid the management of dry eyes in dogs, and as it only needs to be applied twice daily, may encourage owner compliance.

For more information on Remend™ Dry Eye Lubricant Drops and to ‘Request a Rep’ visit, please go to www.remend.co.uk/vets-area

To order your Dry Eye Awareness promotional pack for your practice, please contact your Bayer Veterinary Business Manager.


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