Corneal Ulcer

What is a corneal ulcer?

The eyesight is a very important, if not the most important vision that all animals must possess. The cornea is the clear transparent membrane lying in front of the eye. Whenever there is erosion happening at the cornea’s outer layer or epithelium then it is called corneal ulcer.

What causes corneal ulcer?

Most corneal ulcers happen because of physical trauma. When the dog’s eyes is scratched by a feline, rubbed against a sharp or pointed material like bushes or branches then the corneal epithelium becomes scraped easily. Chemicals also play a role in corneal ulcer. The most common offender are shampoos. Some owners haphazardly chose any kind of shampoo for their pets not minding that other brands have strong formulations. Strong shampoo formulas can prove very harmful to the eyes of your pet when used during bathing. Other chemicals can also harm or burn the eyes like erosive fluids or solutions if spilled on or near the canine’s eyes accidentally. Similarly, some infections can also contribute to the same. Lastly, decreased hydration of the eyes most probably because of decreased tearing (as in the case of kerato-conjunctivitis sicca disease, also known as dry eye) can also cause corneal ulcer.

How is corneal ulcer diagnosed?

Pain is often seen in dogs suffering from corneal ulcer. He will constantly scratch or stroke his affected eye near the eyelids. In some occasions, discharges can be seen as well. These discharges may manifest as an initial clouding of the cornea and at the same time blood vessels will be seen close to its periphery. To rule in the condition, a specialized eye staining test needs to be performed but only after administering the proper anaesthetic droplets.

How is corneal ulcer treated?

Before starting the treatment, a thorough assessment must be done first to determine the gravity of the condition. The bigger the area or the deeper the ulceration, the more expensive or risky the treatment will become. Oftentimes, administering eye drops is the mainstay approach to the treatment plan.
Alternatively, a minor surgery can be done to remove the ulcerations or loose corneal lining on the affected eye. In this approach, anaesthetics will most likely be administered, if not general then local anaesthetics would do. In some instances, a third eyelid flap can also be done. This third eyelid will be stitched above the ulceration so as to aid in healing the site.

Surprisingly, contact lenses are no longer for pure aesthetic use. Some specialized lenses nowadays can be used for therapeutic purposes not just for humans but also for canines. Contact lenses can act as a covering for the corneal ulcer to protect it from further damage. This approach is highly recommended by many practitioners since the dog can still see and at the same time the vet can closely monitor the progress of treatment. After all of these interventions have been done, the vet can then do a second staining to verify if the ulceration has completely healed or not.
 

Disclaimer

This pet health article is for reference only.

If your pet is showing any symptoms or distress, and you suspect your pet is ill CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.