Corneal sequestra in cats: 175 eyes from 172 cases (2000-2016)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Feline Medicine
• Corneal Surgery

Background:

• Feline corneal sequestra are a common condition requiring surgical intervention.
• Various surgical techniques exist, but outcomes data are often limited.
• Understanding the efficacy of different surgical approaches is crucial for feline eye care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of diverse surgical treatments for feline corneal sequestra.
• To assess visual outcomes, corneal clarity, and recurrence rates following surgical management.
• To provide insights into the prognosis of surgical techniques for feline corneal sequestra.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective evaluation of medical records from 172 cats with surgically managed feline corneal sequestra.
• Analysis of signalment, surgical technique, visual outcomes, postoperative corneal clarity, and recurrence.
• Inclusion of data on superficial or deep lamellar keratectomy combined with various graft and flap techniques.

Main Results:

• All 172 cats retained vision post-surgery.
• 86% of eyes (151/175) exhibited no or mild postoperative corneal opacity.
• Sequestra recurrence was noted in 11.4% of eyes (20/175) within a two-year period.

Conclusions:

• Surgical management of feline corneal sequestra yields favorable visual outcomes.
• Most cats experience good corneal clarity post-operatively, though recurrence is possible.
• This study offers valuable data on the prognosis of surgical interventions for feline corneal sequestra.