Surgical management of infectious and noninfectious melting corneal ulcers in cats

Abstract

A melting ulcer, characterized by the stromal dissolution of the cornea, is an important eye lesion that develops due to various reasons and threatens vision. Restoration of this lesion, which causes loss of corneal transparency, requires aggressive medical and surgical treatment. In medical treatment, stromal degeneration is controlled with agents that support topical antibacterial and stromal healing. Surgical treatment is applied using various techniques to remove structures damaged due to the progression of corneal melting and to promote corneal healing. In this study, lamellar keratectomy and the third eyelid flap techniques were combined with topical medical therapy in 20 cat cases with melting ulcers. The aim of this study was to alert to general practitioners that this condition is an important cause of progressive eye loss and necessitates urgent intervention and to show that this treatment approach is easy to implement and has successful results.

Outcomes of treatments for keratomalacia in dogs and cats: a systematic review of the published literature including non‐randomised controlled and non‐controlled studies

“…Demir et al . (2020) reported a retrospective study utilising lamellar keratectomy with TELF in place for 4 to 5 weeks for the treatment of 20 cats with keratomalacia. All corneas were fluorescein negative at removal of the TELF, and all animals were reported to be visual.…”

“…Demir et al . 2020 reported corneal scarring as transparent in 30%, mild in 30% or thick and vascularised in 40% at 1 to 1.5 months follow up. Follow up was reported to have continued periodically (monthly) thereafter but these data were not given.…”

“…The authors also noted that larger defects were significantly associated with poor or absent vision (visual eyes median 5 mm versus poor/ absent vision median 9 mm). Demir et al (2020) reported a retrospective study utilising lamellar keratectomy with TELF in place for 4 to 5 weeks for the treatment of 20 cats with keratomalacia. All corneas were fluorescein negative at removal of the TELF, and all animals were reported to be visual.…”

Evaluation of sex differences in pelvis and femur x‐ray images in British shorthair cats by geometric morphometric method

“…British shorthair cats, which have a brachycephalic structure in terms of skull shape (Demir & Altundağ, 2020;Plitman et al, 2019) with its very dense fur and its gentle characters, is one of the most preferred breeds as a pet in recent years. Therefore, anatomical data of this breed is important in terms of veterinary medicine.…”

Evaluation of Eye Diseases Encountered in Cats: A Retrospective Study (2020-2023)

“…Since the structures that make up the eye are sensitive, homeostasis may be disrupted due to direct injury or local or systemic diseases. Even a slight deterioration in eye homeostasis negatively affects visual function (1,3,9,10). Conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, uveitis, corneal ulcer and corneal necrosis are among the common eye problems in cats (3,4,11).…”