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Objective: To describe corneal grafting for the treatment of full-thickness corneal defects in dogs and to determine its effectiveness in preserving vision., Methods: A review of the medical records of dogs that underwent corneal grafting following corneal perforations (≥3 mm) at the VTH-UAB from 2002 to 2012 was carried out., Results: Fifty dogs of different breed, age and gender were included. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented (37/50;74%). All cases were unilateral, with euryblepharon being the most common concurrent ocular abnormality (20/50;40%). Full-thickness penetrating keratoplasties (FTPK) were performed in 21/50 eyes (42%) and lamellar keratoplasties (LK) in 29/50 eyes (58%). Frozen grafts (FroG) were used in 43/50 eyes (86%) and fresh homologous grafts (FreHoG) in 7/50 (14%). Of the former group, 26 were homologous (FroHoG:60%) and 17 heterologous (FroHeG:40%). A combination of topical medication (antibiotics, corticosteroids, cycloplegics, and 0.2% cyclosporine A) and systemic mycophenolate mofetil was administered. Median follow-up time was 200 days. Postsurgical complications included wound dehiscence (6/50;12%) and glaucoma (4/50;8%). Clinical signs of graft rejection were diagnosed as follows: FroHoG (13/26;50%), FroHeG (11/17;65%), FreHoG (4/7;57%), FTPK (12/21;57%), and LK (16/29;55%). Medical treatment successfully controlled graft rejection in 11/28 eyes (39%). Good anatomical outcome was achieved in 86% (43/50), of which 95% (41/43) were visual at last examination, with moderate opacification to complete transparency of the graft present in 48.2%., Conclusions: Corneal grafting is an effective surgical treatment for full-thickness corneal defects in dogs. If graft rejection is present, additional medical or surgical therapy may be necessary, achieving a highly satisfactory visual outcome., (© 2016 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of topical 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride (CH) on tear production (TP), pupil size (PS), and intraocular pressure (IOP) in dogs., Animal Studied: Fifteen healthy beagle dogs from the UAB research-teaching colony., Procedure: Dogs without ocular diseases were included. Each animal received one drop of 1% CH ophthalmic solution in a randomly selected eye. TP, PS, and IOP were evaluated by means of STT-1, static pupillometry, and rebound tonometry, respectively. Evaluations were performed before drug instillation and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, 54, 60, 72, 84, and 96 h postinstillation. Examinations took place in a room with fixed light intensity (40-55 lux). Statistical analysis was performed by means of generalized estimating equations for the effect on STT-1, pupil size, and IOP over time., Results: After unilateral application of 1% CH, significant pupillary dilation started at 30 min, reached its maximum at 12 h, and returned to pre-instillation size after 72 h. No significant effects were found on TP or IOP, at any time. No effects were observed in the untreated eye on any of the parameters evaluated., Conclusion: Cyclopentolate hydrochloride could be considered a therapeutic alternative when use of a cycloplegic drug is needed and effects on tear production and IOP are unwanted., (© 2015 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

A lamellar keratoplasty was used to treat corneal sequestrum in four Persian cats (six eyes). Following a superficial keratectomy, lamellar corneal allografts (feline corneal tissue) or heterografts (canine corneal tissue) which had been preserved at -20 degrees C were placed in the recipient cornea. All grafts became optically transparent within 2 months following surgery and no recurrences of the sequestrum have been noted during the follow-up period (4-30 months). We conclude that feline corneal sequestrum may be successfully treated with feline or canine donor corneal tissue using this technique.