What is a corneal ulcer?
A corneal ulcer in simple terms is a wound affecting the outermost part of the eye, the cornea. Ulcers usually develop following an injury to the surface of the eye such as a scratch from another animal or by running through bushes and hedges. Certain breeds (in particular brachycephalic dogs and cats) and patients with underlying conditions (such as dry eye, inability to close their eyelids or blind pets) are more prone to injury and development of accidental corneal ulcers.
Types of corneal ulcers
Depending on the severity of the ulcer, these are classified as:
- Superficial, non-healing ulcers that require surgical debridement. For these ulcers we offer techniques including diamond burr debridement under local anaesthesia, grid keratotomy or superficial keratectomy.
2. Complicated or infected ulcers that require intensive medical management at our clinic. Some of these ulcers can deteriorate rapidly despite treatment and require urgent surgical repair.
3. Deep or perforated ulcers for which medication alone is not sufficient. These cases require urgent surgical repair to save the eye and try to maintain vision.
Corneal ulcer symptoms
The most consistent signs your dog or cat will show when suffering from a corneal ulcer are:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Redness
- Increased wetting and discharge from the eye
- Occasionally clouding of the eye.
If your pet is suffering from one or more of the problems mentioned above, please seek urgent advice from your primary care vet who can then request a referral to our clinic for an assessment by our specialists.
Diagnosis of a corneal ulcer
The diagnosis of a corneal ulcer is based on the use of a special dye, called fluorescein dye, which highlights the area of the ulcer with a luminant green colour. This test is performed by a veterinary surgeon. Additional tests performed at our clinic involve the use of advanced equipment (i.e., slit lamp biomicroscope) to allow us to assess how deep or shallow the ulcer is and formulate the best treatment plan.
Treatment of corneal ulcers
Based on our initial assessment and after having evaluated the extent of the problem, one of the following treatment options will be recommended:
- Medication using a combination of eye drops and oral medication: this treatment option is employed most commonly for superficial ulcers
- Combination of eye drops and surgery: this treatment option is employed for deep ulcers, infected ulcers or perforated corneal ulcers
- Corneal cross-linking: this treatment option is employed alone or in combination with a surgical option when dogs and cats are suffering from a type of ulcer called “melting” ulcer, which requires rapid stabilisation prior to surgical treatment.
Complications of a corneal ulcer
The complications most frequently seen are associated with either infection of a pre-existing superficial ulcer with certain bacteria, which then cause rapid deterioration of the ulcer, or are associated with failure of the treatment chosen (eye drops or surgery) to stop the progression of the ulcer. Understanding the root cause of the problem is important to create a targeted rescue treatment plan.
Prognosis of a corneal ulcer
The prognosis depends on the type of ulcer your pet is suffering from. For most superficial ulcers, the success rate of treatment approaches 100%. For deep ulcers, infected ulcers and perforation of the cornea the prognosis is discussed with the owners at the time of consultation based on the severity of each case.
After care
During the treatment of a corneal ulcer, most dogs and cats will have to wear a buster collar. This aims to protect your pet from scratching the eye and complicating the healing of the eye as the irritation and pain can persist even after surgery or targeted treatment. Treatment involves the use of a combination of eye drops and oral medication for a period of usually 7-14 days, minimising rigorous exercise and keeping cats indoors or dogs on a lead walk during this period of time.
Our mission at Vet Eye Care is providing the best care for your pets. Our ophthalmologists are able to diagnose and treat all ophthalmic conditions promptly, following a referral request from your vets. If you feel your pet will benefit from a consultation with one of our specialists, ask your general vet for a referral. Contact us today and benefit from our competitive prices.