Ophthalmology - Special Services, Technology, & Information
The cornea is the clear tissue in the outer part of the eye, and an indolent ulcer or non-healing ulcer results when cells of the outer surface of the cornea will not adhere to the underlying tissue. This causes edema (cloudiness) of the cornea, pain, and blood vessel growth into the cornea. Once the cornea is ulcerated, bacteria can multiply in the affected area and cause the ulcer to become worse. These ulcers may persist for long periods of time if left untreated.
Some of the signs of an indolent ulcer include pain and squinting, redness of the conjunctiva or white part of the eye, tearing and discharge, and an abnormal appearance to the cornea. This abnormal appearance may include a bluish or white discoloration, blood vessels growing into the cornea, and a dark brown discoloration from pigment on the cornea.
A veterinarian can detect an indolent ulcer by applying a fluorescent-green, non-toxic dye to the surface of the cornea. A careful examination of the eye is necessary to identify any underlying cause for the ulcer.
Indolent ulcers are most commonly seen in older dogs and Boxers. Indolent ulcers are treated differently depending on their cause, severity, and whether infection is present. Treatment can include repeated debridement, grid keratotomy, or superficial keratectomy. Debridement of the ulcer promotes healing by removing the outer non-adhering layer of cornea with a cotton swab. This procedure may have to be repeated several times. A grid keratotomy is a procedure in which the tissue under the diseased outer surface of the cornea is altered. This procedure helps to promote healing and also may require repeated procedures. A superficial keratectomy surgically removes all of the underlying diseased tissue and is generally successful with a single surgery.