Principle Investigator

Vanessa Raphtis and Michala de Linde

Description

This clinical trial is investigating a novel sustained-release treatment for canine KCS (“drye eye disease”) using a single subconjunctival injection of cooked platelet-rich fibrin combined with tacrolimus (cPRFT)

Testing Requirements

Each dog enrolled will:

-Receive standard topical tacrolimus therapy in the right eye (OD)
-Receive a single subconjunctival injection in the left eye (OS) that is either cPRF alone (control) or cPRFT
-Be followed for 16 weeks post sedated procedure with scheduled recheck examinations
-Dogs being assigned to the control group or the cPRFT group will be randomized and blind to the primary resident investigator

Enrollment Start

03/02/2026

Enrollment Finish

03/31/2028

Eligibility

Dogs may qualify if they meet the following:

-Diagnosis of KCS
-Schirmer Tear Test-1 (STT-1) values between 5-10 mm/min
-Ideally patients will be newly diagnosed and have not yet received treatment for KCS
-No concurrent ophthalmic diseases requiring topical therapy, including but not limited to:
Corneal ulceration
Glaucoma
Uveitis

-Any condition requiring additional ophthalmic medications
-Previously treated KCS patients may still enroll:
Dogs currently receiving cyclosporine 0.2% ophthalmic ointment (Optimmune) are still eligible
A 2-week washout period will be required prior to enrollment

-Dogs must be able to undergo a complete physical and ophthalmic examination
-Baseline CBC and Chemistry panel will be required to confirm no concurrent systemic health diseases

Flyer

Click to View Study Flyer

Contact

Please contact Dr. Vanessa Raphtis at: varaphti@ncsu.edu