Corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL) for the treatment of melting keratitis in cats and dogs: a pilot study

Abstract

This study shows the feasibility of CXL to treat progressive corneal melting in veterinary patients. CXL may represent a cost-efficient and safe alternative therapy in the treatment for corneal melting in veterinary ophthalmology. More investigations comparing the effectivity and complication rate of CXL to those of standard medical treatment are necessary.

Equine eosinophilic keratitis in horses: 28 cases (2003–2013)

“…Alternatively, EK may present as a superficial stromal yellow perilimbal infiltrate 2, 3. Regardless of the clinical presentation, cytologic evaluation identifies eosinophils when examined microscopically.…”

“…Regardless of the clinical presentation, cytologic evaluation identifies eosinophils when examined microscopically. Eosinophilic keratitis has been reported in horses, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, cats 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and rabbits 17.…”

“…Additionally, environmental factors such as geographical location and weather conditions 5 have been implicated, as EK has a predilection for presentation in summer months. One study reported 78% of EK diagnoses occurred in the summer months, with the majority during July (41%), followed by June (22%), and August (15%) 3. It has been suggested that, in combination with topical therapy, controlling husbandry factors, specifically keeping fields cut short, using fly masks during turn out, increasing stall confinement to reduce time on pasture, and administering topical fly repellent under the eyes may be associated with resolution of clinical signs in all cases 3.…”

“…Treatment of EK is limited in that most of our guidelines are extrapolated from human literature, or based on a few case reports in the veterinary literature. Treatment of EK is either medical or surgical, with reported medical treatments of EK including topical corticosteroids 5, 6, a tapering regimen of systemic corticosteroids 3, topical nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medications, topical mast cell stabilizers, and topical antihistamines 19. Immune‐modulating drugs such as cyclosporine have also been used in feline patients, with improvement seen in 88.6%, and a recurrence rate of 22.6% in affected cats 16.…”

“…The outcome for a comfortable globe and remission from EK is variable, but with an appropriate treatment protocol the prognosis is good. One study reports out of 46 eyes, all retained vision, with the most common sequelae being mild corneal fibrosis 3.…”