Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXIX, Issue 2
Written by Iuliana IONASCU
Melting corneal ulcers in dogs develop secondary to the imbalance between proteinases and proteinase inhibitors in the healing process of corneal wounds. Common complications of melting corneal ulcers in dogs are descemetocele, staphyloma and uveitis, which can lead loss of vision. Medical records of 342 dogs diagnosed with melting corneal ulcers from May 2013 to November 2022 treated surgically using VetShield® and SoftShield® collagen bandage lenses and third eyelid flap. Dogs included in the study had a clinical diagnosis of melting corneal ulcer without evidence of retinal detachment or lens luxation confirmed by ocular ultrasonography. 204/342 cases (59.65%) of treated dogs regained their vision and corneal transparency; 113/342 cases (33.04%) had corneal fibrosis and pigmentation with improved vision; 17/342 cases (4.97%) had lost vision due to corneal scarring and 8/342 (2.34%) underwent intrascleral prosthesis due to secondary glaucoma as a complication. Placement of bandage collagen lenses and third eyelid flap in melting corneal ulcers in dogs is an easy, straightforward surgical procedure which can be performed by any veterinarian practitioner with good results.
[Read full article] [Citation]
