HUMAN AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TRANSPLANTATION IN THE TREATMENT OF FELINE CORNEAL SEQUESTRUM: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Abstract

Amniotic membrane transplantation is used in both human and veterinary ophthalmology for ocular surface reconstruction after certain ocular diseases in order to regain corneal transparency and to improve visual outcome. Feline corneal sequestrum is a disease unique to the cat, characterized by the presence of an area of corneal necrosis, brown coloured, sometimes accompanied by vascularization and edema, usually located in the center of the cornea. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment can be medical or surgical. This pilot study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome after lamellar keratectomy and amniotic membrane transplantation in cases of feline corneal sequestrum. The study was conducted in the Opthalmology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest and in Oftalmovet Private Practice in Valencia for a period of two years. During this time, six cats with corneal sequestrum underwent superficial keratectomy associated with human amniotic membrane transplantation fixed with OcuSeal Liquid Ocular BandageTM (Beaver Visitec). In all the cases, a third eyelid flap was used to protect the graft. Good corneal clarity and improved vision was obtained in all the cases. Amniotic membrane transplantation after lamellar keratectomy was an optimal choice for the treatment of corneal sequestrum in cats. There was no recurrence of the disease in our follow-up period (3-15 months).