Chronic immune mediated keratoconjunctivitis sicca (CIKS)
Chronic immune mediated keratoconjunctivitis sicca (CIKS) is the
newer name for pannus. It is most common in German shepherds,
greyhounds and Siberian huskies. The cause of this condition is not
known, at present. This may be an immune response to changes brought
on by ultraviolet radiation. This is based on the increased
prevalence of the disease at higher altitudes. Usually immune
mediated CIKS starts at the outer edges of the cornea as blood
vessel infiltration and then pigmentation of the cornea. As the
disease progresses it spreads across the cornea to the nasal side of
the eye and blindness can result from the condition. The third
eyelid may become thickened and depigmented, which makes the eye
look even worse. If the disease appears early in life (less than 2
yrs. old) it has a tendency to be very severe as it progresses. When
it shows up later in life (4 to 5 yrs. or older) it usually is less
severe.
CIKS can be controlled with medical therapy, usually very
successfully. It can not be cured, however. Medication is necessary
lifelong for dogs with this condition. In areas of low elevation, it
is usually possible to treat this with corticosteroid eye drops. In
severe cases, injections of corticosteroids into the tissues
surrounding the eye can be necessary. In areas of higher elevation
it can be necessary to go to much greater lengths to control this
problem. Irradiation of the cornea, surgical removal of the affected
areas of the cornea and other measures may be necessary to provide
relief from this problem.
