Optimmune is an ophthalmic ointment with cyclosporine as the active ingredient for the treatment of pannus

Pannus

Pannus is a medical term for an abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue or granulation tissue. Common sites for pannus formation include over the cornea, over a joint surface , or on a prosthetic heart valve...

 and chronic idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , also called keratitis sicca, xerophthalmia or dry eye syndrome is an eye disease caused by eye dryness, which, in turn, is caused by either decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation. It is found in humans and some animals...

 in dogs. It is a veterinary product produced by Intervet, which is part of Merck

Merck

Merck may refer to:* Merck KGaA, , a German-based chemical and pharmaceutical company.** Merck Serono , the pharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA...

. Optimmune was invented by Dr. Renee Kaswan, a DVM and professor of The University of Georgia. Dr. Kaswan is also the inventor of Restasis, the well-known pharmaceutical that is the human medicine version of Optimmune.

Optimmune is one of a very few drugs developed for animals and then modified for use in human medicine.

TRIVIA - Optimmune, discovered at The University of Georgia, saved the eyesight of "UGA", the school's mascot.

Description

White petrolatum-based ointment for ophthalmic use, containing 0.2% w/w cyclosporin Ph Eur.

Activity

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant with lacrimomimetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Contra-indications

Mild irritation in first few days of treatment. Treatment should be discontinued and professional advice sought.
Do not use if fungal infection of the eye is suspected.

Legality

In Canada, available only from veterinary with prescription. As of October 2011, a tube cost $72.