Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by chronic inflammation of the tear glands and conjunctiva causing decreased tear production and/or deficiency in tear quality. The objective was to compare the conventional use of topical immunosuppressant tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops with injectable homologous platelet-rich plasma in conjunctiva, in dogs with KCS. Sixty-six eyes were evaluated, 22 eyes each from the negative control group (NCG), tacrolimus group (TG), and homologous platelet-rich plasma group (HPRPG). The animals were evaluated once a month for six months with the ocular tests: Schirmer’s tear test-1 (STT-1), osmolarity test (OT), strip meniscometry test (SMT), tear film break-up test (TBUT), fluorescein test (FT), lissamine green test (LGT). Cytology and biopsy of the conjunctiva on days 1 and 180 of the study. In the HPRPG, 36% (four dogs) received three applications, 55% (six dogs) received two applications, and 9% (one dog) received one application before the initial ocular signs improved. Tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops were more efficient than HPRP in increasing tear production and the number of goblet cells. However, injectable HPRP was more efficient than TG in decreasing conjunctival inflammatory cells. Both groups showed equivalent improvements in the TBUT, OT, and LGT parameters. We conclude that the injectable use of homologous PRP requires two to three monthly applications, is safe and feasible in ambulatory care, is financially more viable than tacrolimus, and can be used as a more accessible alternative therapy or suggested as an adjuvant to conventional treatment with topical immunosuppressants.
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