Corneal disease covers ulcers, dry eye and a set of non-ulcerative keratitides and dystrophies. Ulcers are common in general practice: in English primary care 0.8% of dogs were diagnosed with corneal ulcer disease in one year, with Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus and other brachycephalic and spaniel types most affected (O'Neill 2017). For the NAVLE, most corneal questions turn on two skills: reading a fluorescein stain correctly and recognising the underlying cause.
Key facts
Corneal disease at a glance- Species: dog (cats differ: corneal sequestrum, and no keratotomy).
- System: special senses, eye (cornea).
- Causes: mostly mechanical trauma and eyelid or lash problems; also dry eye (KCS), infection, immune-mediated disease and inherited dystrophies.
- Classic presentation: squinting, tearing and a red eye; a non-healing superficial ulcer with loose edges in a middle-aged Boxer is an indolent ulcer (SCCED).
- Key rule: no topical corticosteroids on a cornea that retains fluorescein.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 26 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.