How to handle ‘Penny’s’ corneal abrasion problem to aid healing
Ask the Vet
Q: “Penny,” my Boston terrier, hurt her eye somehow. She was pretty painful, so I took her to the vet. He told me there was a scratch on her eye. We don’t even know how that happened. Could you tell me more about this kind of eye problem? R.S., Farragut
A: Scratches on the eye are known medically as corneal ulcers or abrasions. The cornea is the thin layer on the eye’s surface. Corneal damage can occur due to trauma, such as rough play with another pet; foreign objects, such as carpet or grass getting into the eye; or chemical irritation like shampoo. Other diseases of the eye, such as entropion (eyelids rolling in), distichia (extra internal eyelashes) or dry eye can cause secondary corneal ulcers.
Pets like Penny with a corneal ulcer typically present very painful symptoms. The eye will be red, swollen and have discharge. She was most likely squinting and unable to open her eye fully.
The cornea is very thin and translucent. So to diagnosis Penny, your veterinarian applied a fluorescent stain to her eye.
The stain adheres to the damaged surface of the cornea so that the extent of the damage is visible.
Routine and simple corneal ulcers typically heal with topical antibiotics and pain control. We often use an Elizabethan collar (“the cone of shame”) to prevent rubbing and self-trauma.
Depending on the ulcer, Penny will be re-checked in approximately 7-to-10 days. Her recheck is important, as not only do we want her ulcer healed, we need to make sure the ulcer has not gotten larger, deeper and/or infected.
I hope Penny is more comfortable now and that she heals quickly.
If you have questions about your pet, e-mail Dr. Myers at lenoicityac@gmail.com
