Feline Corneal Sequestration

A Feline Corneal Sequestrum is a condition unique to cats. It can occur in any breed but is especially common in Persians, Himalayans, Colorpoints, Abbysinians and Burmese. Cats of any age can be affected.

This is when black of brown spot develops in the cornea. It may or may not be associated with corneal vascularization (blood vessels).

Feline Corneal Sequestration may develop without any obvious cause, or they may also follow viral infections e.g. cat flu (feline herpes virus), corneal ulcers, or from irritation.

In some cases new Feline Corneal Sequestration lesions can develop in the same eye or in the other eye, this is especially common in Persians.

In early cases we have had some cases respond to topical drops. These drops may need to be applied for 1 to 2 months before any response is seen. We seem to get the best response to this therapy in cases where there is just slight discoloration to the cornea.

Surgery

Is recommended in most cases, as all of the discoloured cornea is removed with the aid of an operating microscope.

After all the discolored corneal sequestration is removed, the cornea is covered with a third eyelid flap for 7 to 14 days whilst the cornea heals. Antibiotics either via drops into the eye or antibiotic paste into the food are required.

If the Feline Corneal Sequestration is deep or if it recurs a permanent conjunctival graft, or a synthetic corneal graft or a corneoscleral transposition graft is stitched directly into the corneal defect. This seems to reduce the chance of further problems. It may not be possible to judge how deep the lesion is until we are actually in surgery.

After the black spot has been removed it is possible for unusual reactions to develop on the cornea. These may include corneal scarring and eosinophilic keratitis. These complications are unpredictable and may require prolonged treatment.