NEW in-clinic study published in Veterinary Ophthalmology. Immediate Reduction in Corneal Bacterial Load…
Five-second UV-C treatment shows promising reduction in bacterial load in
veterinary eye infections
A new clinical study has found that a single five-second application of therapeutic ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light can dramatically reduce bacterial load in the eyes of dogs, horses and cats with microbial keratitis (MK), highlighting its potential as an adjunct to conventional antimicrobial therapy.
Published in Veterinary Ophthalmology, the retrospective study by Chris Dixon and Gary Lewin evaluated the immediate effect of low-dose 265 nm UV-C irradiation on naturally occurring cases of microbial keratitis presented to a UK veterinary referral ophthalmology hospital.
Microbial keratitis is a painful, potentially sight-threatening condition requiring prompt treatment. Although topical antimicrobials remain the cornerstone of therapy, increasing concerns around antimicrobial resistance continue to drive interest in complementary treatment approaches that can help reduce bacterial burden.
The study analysed 34 affected eyes from 30 client-owned patients, including dogs, horses and cats. Corneal swabs were collected immediately before and immediately after a single five-second UV-C treatment using a commercially available therapeutic device. Bacterial cultures were then compared to assess the immediate microbiological effect.
The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in culturable bacteria following treatment. Median bacterial counts fell by 96.5%, while nearly one-third of treated eyes were culture-negative immediately after UV-C exposure. More than 94% of eyes achieved at least a 75% reduction in bacterial load, with reductions observed across a range of clinically important pathogens, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas and coliform bacteria.
Commenting on the findings, the authors note that demonstrating a significant immediate reduction in bacterial burden in naturally occurring clinical cases represents an important step in assessing the potential clinical application of therapeutic UV-C in veterinary ophthalmology.
As antimicrobial stewardship continues to be a priority across veterinary medicine, technologies that complement existing therapies without relying solely on antibiotics are attracting increasing interest.
The full paper, Immediate Reduction in Corneal Bacterial Load Following Therapeutic Ultraviolet-C Irradiation in Veterinary Patients with Microbial Keratitis, is published in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
