Excision of a feline limbal melanoma and use of nictitans cartilage to repair the resulting corneoscleral defect

A limbal melanoma was surgically removed from a 12-year-old castrated male black domestic shorthair (DSH) cat. The resulting full-thickness eye wall defect was repaired using the autologous third eyelid cartilage. The patient was followed for 85 days postoperatively, during which time there was no recurrence. Other than a small amount of fibrin and blood at the anterior lens capsule, no significant complications were seen. Use of the third eyelid cartilage as graft material following resection of a feline limbal melanoma can be effective for repairing large eye wall defects and preserving ocular function. The third eyelid proved to be a convenient source of graft material. In addition, autologous grafting can reduce the potential for iatrogenic spread of infectious agents such as feline herpes virus.