Canine conjunctivitis and blepharitis

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2008 Mar;38(2):233-49, v. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2007.12.001.

Abstract

The eyelids and conjunctiva are immunologically active structures with an extensive presence of blood vessels, lymphatics, and immune cells. Several immune-mediated phenomena can involve these structures either in isolation or in association with systemic clinical features. Immune-mediated blepharoconjunctival diseases are divided into two main categories: primary autoimmune disease in which the disease results from an attack against self-antigens and secondary immune-mediated disease in which the disorder results from exogenous material inducing autoimmune disease. Such causes of secondary immune-mediated disease include infectious agents and drugs. This article reviews the most important autoimmune and immune-mediated eyelid and conjunctival disorders in dogs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / veterinary*
  • Blepharitis / immunology
  • Blepharitis / veterinary*
  • Conjunctivitis / immunology
  • Conjunctivitis / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / immunology*
  • Dogs
  • Risk Factors