Establishment of a Beagle Dog Model of Dry Eye Disease

To establish a Beagle dog model of dry eye disease (DED).

DED models were induced by surgical removal of orbital lacrimal glands and entire resection of third eyelids in the left eyes of six Beagle dogs. Intact right eyes served as self-controls. Non-anaesthetized Schirmer test (STT), tear break-up time (TBUT), and fluorescein staining grading were performed monthly after operation. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected in tears and conjunctiva tissues. Six months after surgery, conjunctiva and cornea were collected and histopathologically analyzed.

Signs of DED appeared within one month after surgery and then remained stable. STT values were significantly reduced by 88% within 3 weeks after operation and remained stable over months with 1.6 ± 0.4 mm. Mean TBUT decreased significantly within two months after operation and maintained 5.2 ± 1.1 seconds. The mean fluorescein staining score was highest at the first month and then was reduced, eventually reaching a balance with 11.0 ± 1.3 points. Elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were detected in tears and conjunctivas of operated eyes. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed cornea neovascularization in the corneal stroma with thickened stroma layer and disorganized collagen bundles. Periodic acid-Schiff staining revealed a reduced function of conjunctival goblet cells.

A combined type of DED model on the Beagle dog was established by removal of the orbital lacrimal gland and resection of the third eyelid. This DED model is easily accessible and is stable at six-month observation.

The surgery-induced Beagle dog DED model is easily accessible and stable over a relatively long time.