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Treatment of nonhealing corneal ulcers in 60 horses with diamond burr debridement (2010–2013)
Author(s) -
LassalineUtter Mary,
Cutler Tim J.,
Michau Tammy M.,
Nunnery Catherine M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/vop.12148
Subject(s) - medicine , debridement (dental) , surgery , cornea , corneal ulceration , corneal ulcer , corneal abrasion , bullous keratopathy , abrasion (mechanical) , ophthalmology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objective To review the signalment, clinical characteristics, and outcome of horses with nonhealing corneal ulcers treated with diamond burr debridement ( DBD ); and to evaluate the role of ulcer duration, size and location, and bandage contact lens ( BCL ) placement on healing. Animals From January 2012–April 2013, 60 horses were diagnosed with ulcers classified as nonhealing based on the presence of raised epithelial margins and duration of at least 7 days. Procedure Retrospective record review. Results Average age of included horses was 14.68 years, SD 8.17 years. There were three times as many males (45) as females (15), ( χ 1 2 = 15, P = 0.001). Forty‐eight horses (80%) had nonhealing ulcers uncomplicated by associated corneal disease. In the remaining horses, associated corneal disease included esinophilic keratitis (10%), calcific band keratopathy (5%), endothelial decompensation (1.67%), habronemiasis(1.67%), and lid suture abrasion (1.67%). Average corneal ulcer duration prior to diamond burr debridement ( DBD ) was 29.0 days ( n = 56). Ulcers occurred most commonly in the axial cornea (41%). Fifty‐five of 60 horses (92%) healed with DBD . Healing time, defined as time to epithelialization following DBD , averaged 15.5 days, SD 9.32 days, and was not correlated with patient age or ulcer duration, location, or size prior to or following DBD . Healing time was significantly longer for eyes in which a BCL had been placed ( n = 28, 19.0 days) than for eyes without a BCL ( n = 32, 12.9 days), F (1,58) = 5.543, P = 0.02. DBD was considered a failure for five horses (8%). Conclusions DBD may be an effective treatment for nonhealing corneal ulcers in horses.