A retrospective study of 30 cases of frozen lamellar corneal graft in dogs and cats

Frozen lamellar corneal grafts and nictitating membrane flaps were used in 18 dogs and 12 cats to repair deep corneal defects. In all dogs either melting corneal ulcers or descemetoceles were present. In the 12 cats, nine had either a melting corneal ulcer or descemetocele, two animals had acute bullous keratopathy, and one cat had corneal sequestrum. Initial vascularization with gradual clearing of the graft occurred during the first 45 days postoperatively. At 60 days postoperatively, all eyes were visual. Frequent postoperative complications included: focal dehiscence of the wound ( n  = 9); melting of part of the graft ( n  = 7); and pigmentation of the graft ( n  = 4). The frozen lamellar corneal graft was a very safe technique, and restored the tectonic and the optical function of the cornea. It provided the best results in corneas with nonperforating corneal defects. This technique provides poorer results when the cornea was perforated prior to surgery or during the surgical procedure.     

Canine,feline, and equine corneal vascular neoplasia: A retrospective study (2007‐2015)

Corneal vascular neoplasms (hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma) are rare in all species. Reported cases are single case reports in a single species. Archived cases of corneal hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma from dogs, cats, and horses were obtained from the Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin (COPLOW, Madison, WI), tabulated, and examined. This retrospective study describes the breeds, ages, tumor types, and characteristics of vascular neoplasms that appeared to be primarily corneal in location, in feline, canine, and equine patients, with gross and histologic images. There is a discussion of predisposing factors and speculated association with chronic ocular surface disease.     

Intracorneal hemorrhage in 19 dogs (22 eyes) from 2000 to 2010: a retrospective study

Objective The aim of this retrospective study is to review clinical data on patients that suffered intracorneal hemorrhage (ICH), and the veterinary and human literature available for this condition. Animal Studied A search for ICH was performed within the clinical database of the Animal Health Trust. Nineteen cases were identified (22 eyes). Procedures The patient’s age, breed, and gender were reviewed, together with etiology, location, treatment, and follow‐up. The relevant data were compared with the Animal Health Trust (AHT) ophthalmology referral population for the same period of time (n = 5555). Results Twenty‐two eyes were affected. No breed or sex predisposition could be identified. Patients aged 10 years and above were more frequently affected when compared with the AHT ophthalmology referral population. ICH was recorded in all corneal quadrants, with the mid‐peripheral cornea more often affected. Areas of corneas affected by the ICH showed long‐term loss of transparency. Ocular diseases as a source of neovascularization varied from ocular surface to intraocular disease. Systemic diseases were investigated in some patients, and no concomitant disease could be linked to the development of ICH. Conclusions Intracorneal hemorrhage is a rare condition associated with corneal neovasculature. As in the human ophthalmology literature, ICH could not be linked to a specific ocular or systemic disease. Severe complications described in humans with this condition, such as pupillary block or corneal perforation, were not seen in any of these canine patients. Canine ICH seem to reabsorb with time, with or without medical treatment. Surgical treatment was not required in any of our patients.     

Clinical findings and outcomes of ulcerative keratomycosis in 30 horses in the mid‐Atlantic United States (2006–2007)

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course and outcome associated with keratomycosis in horses in the mid‐Atlantic USA. Records of horses diagnosed with keratomycosis at New Bolton Center from November 2006 to November 2007 with positive fungal culture were retrospectively studied. Neither horses with ulcerative keratitis and a negative fungal culture nor those with stromal abscesses were included. Subject details, history, clinical findings, therapy and outcome were recorded. Thirty horses fitted both inclusion criteria (diagnosis of keratomycosis and positive corneal fungal culture). Fourteen of 30 cases occurred during summer. Aspergillus was the most commonly cultured fungal genus (17/30, or 57%) followed by Alternaria (4/30). Seventeen horses had positive bacterial and fungal cultures. Fifteen of 30 horses were treated surgically by a keratectomy and amnion (8) or conjunctival (7) graft. Itraconazole was the most common topical anti‐fungal therapy and was utilised in 25/30 horses. Globe survival was 97% (29/30). All surviving globes had a positive menace response and were visual at the last examination. It was concluded that in the mid‐Atlantic USA, fungal keratitis is common, has the highest incidence in summer, and is usually associated with a positive outcome. Aspergillus may be a relatively more common corneal pathogen in this region than elsewhere in the USA. Surgical cases were more likely to have fungal hyphae identified on cytology and tended to be hospitalised longer than medical cases. There was no apparent association between surgical disease and all other patient, organism and treatment variables.