Feline corneal sequestra: outcome of corneoconjunctival transposition in 97 cats (109 eyes)

Abstract

Case series summary A retrospective study was undertaken to review outcomes of keratectomy and corneoconjunctival transposition in cats with superficial and deep corneal sequestra. Information including pertinent history, signalment, ophthalmological findings and postoperative outcome was collected from medical records. Follow-up was obtained by clinical examination, contact with the referring veterinarians and review of medical records or telephone contact with owners. Ninety-seven cats (109 eyes) were included from 2005–2015. The most commonly affected breeds included Persian, Burmese and Himalayan. The mean age at the time of surgery was 6.8 years (median 6.5 years; range 8.0 months–18.0 years). A corneal sequestrum in the contralateral eye was diagnosed in 28 cats (28.9%). Recurrent corneal sequestration was diagnosed in eight cats (nine eyes), with recurrence occurring a mean of 703 days after surgery (range 29–1750 days). Age, sex, breed, depth of sequestration and concurrent ocular disease in the contralateral eye were compared between cats with and without recurrence, with no risk factors for recurrence identified. Relevance and novel information Excellent surgical outcomes have previously been described in a series of 17 cats with superficial and mid-stromal corneal sequestra. This paper adds further information to the literature by describing a larger series of cats, with corneal sequestra affecting the full range of corneal thickness, and good long-term postoperative outcomes.