Ocular alkaline injury in four dogs - presentation, treatment, and follow-up - a case series

Claudia Busse*, Claudia Hartley, Christiane Kafarnik, Mauro Pivetta

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Purpose: To describe presentation, treatment, and follow-up after unilateral alkaline injuries to the eye in four dogs. Material and method: The case notes of four patients that suffered from alkaline injuries to the eye were included in this series. Results: Acute clinical signs included blepharospasm and edema of the eyelids, chemosis and conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival ischemia, destruction of the corneal epithelium, a whitish haze of the corneal stroma, mild corneal edema, and uveitis. Two patients showed depigmentation of the eyelids. Presumed endothelial cell damage resulted in severe corneal edema in two dogs. Long-term complications included phthisis bulbi, scarring of the eyelids and damage to the meibomian glands, symblepharon formation, conjunctivalization of the cornea, corneal vascularization, pigmentation, and fibrosis. Persisting corneal edema was seen in the dogs with presumed endothelial cell damage. One dog developed a mild bullous keratopathy with superficial corneal ulcerations 41/2 years after the injury and had a reduced anterior chamber depth on ultrasound. Conclusion: The damage to the ocular structures described here mainly affects the ocular surface. One patient presumably suffered an injury to the ciliary body epithelium resulting in a phthisical globe. Chronic corneal edema, conjunctivalization, and scarring can result in permanent visual impairment. Healing of the ocular surface can take weeks and is associated with a dramatic vascular response. However, a severely vascularized cornea has the potential to clear and allow a good visual outcome long term. Ongoing discomfort was only seen in one case with persistent corneal edema and a secondary bullous keratopathy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)127-134
Number of pages8
JournalVeterinary Ophthalmology
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2015

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Alkaline injury
  • Canine cornea
  • Chemical burn
  • Endothelial cell damage
  • Ocular surface

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