EYE PROBLEMS: CORNEAL ULCERATIONS

Watery eyes, mucoid discharges, squinting, "red eyes" or congested scleral vessels

Some of the symptoms commonly seen in pets with ocular problems.  Numerous conditions can cause the aforementioned symptoms and it is up to your veterinarian to address the best course to avoid further eye damage.

Corneal ulceration is one of the common eye problems that we encounter at the clinic.  This is the traumatic injury or break/tear on the superficial layer of the eye. This condition can happen to both cats and dogs.  Some pets will exhibit pain, increased ocular discharges and squinting. Worse case scenario that can happen are the ones with the perforation of the cornea, and can lead to exopthalmos or the bulging of the eye out of  the socket.

CAUSES OF CORNEAL ULCERATION

1. Trauma. Commonly seen on fights and accidents
2. Viral and Bacterial Infection. Herpes viral infection and Chlamydophila species are commonly seen involved in cats.
3. Chemicals. Ocular exposure to chemicals
4. Foreign body

DIAGNOSIS

• History of eye trauma.
• Visual confirmation of the presence of a visible ulceration on the corneal surface is diagnostic.
• The use of Fluorescein dye strip will make evaluation easier.

TREATMENT

Depends on really on how severe the ulceration on the cornea. Questions to ask is how deep the ulceration and what caused the ulceration.  Your veterinarian will usually address eyes issues as outpatient and you will be given prescription medication for simple corneal ulcerations. Systemic antibiotics may be given in cases with eye ulcerations accompanied by viral respiratory infection.  

Surgical procedure that may be recommended by your veterinarian in:

• Corneal debridement - removal of excess tissue growth from cornea
• Temporary Tarsorrhaphy (temporary closure of the eye) can be done to cover injured eye.
• Enucleation (surgical removal of the damaged globe) can be performed to severely damaged, presence of pain, confirmed blind eye.

CLIENT EDUCATION

• Severe progressive corneal ulcerations can lead to the rupture of globe; worst case scenario is blindness. Simple corneal ulcers should heal within 7 days time.  Refractory ulcerations takes time and other interventions may be warranted.
• Address the root cause of the infection.  Treat not just the eye problem.  Some animals succumb to the primary infection.

SOURCE:

Drobatz ,K.J. and Costello, M.F. 2010. Feline Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. Wiley-Blackwell.  John Wiley & Sons Publication

Blackwell's 5 Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline. 6th ed.