Companion Animal Eye Center, Ltd.

4708 Olson Memorial Hwy
Golden Valley, MN 55422



What is a corneal ulcer?

The cornea is the transparent, shiny membrane which makes up the front of the eyeball. Think of it as a clear window. To understand a corneal ulcer, you must first understand how the cornea is constructed.

The cornea is composed of three layers. The most superficial layer is the epithelium, which is comprised of several very thin layers of cells. Below the epithelium is the stroma, and the deepest layer is Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelium. Because all of these layers of the cornea are clear, it is not possible to see them without special stains that color particular cells and highlight them when looked at with an ophthalmoscope.

Erosion of the epithelium is called a corneal erosion or corneal abrasion. A corneal ulcer is deeper erosion through the entire epithelium and into the stroma. If the erosion goes through the epithelium and stroma to the level of Descemet's membrane, a descemetocele exists. A descemetocele is a very serious condition. If Descemet's membrane ruptures, the liquid inside the eyeball leaks out, the eye collapses and ocular surgery is usually required to save the eye.

How does a corneal ulcer occur?

There are several causes of corneal ulcers in dogs, including trauma, degenerative changes in the cornea, chemical burns, bacterial and viral infections, and secondary to other abnormalities.

How does a corneal ulcer affect my dog?

A corneal ulcer is usually painful. Most dogs rub the affected eye with a paw or on the carpet in an attempt to relieve this intense pain. To protect the eye, they keep the lids closed, and there is often excessive tearing.

How is a corneal ulcer diagnosed?

Superficial corneal abrasions are usually not visible without special tests. Corneal abrasions can be visualized with the use of special stains such as fluorescein. A drop of this stain is placed on the cornea. The dye will adhere to an area of ulceration and is easily seen using special ophthalmic lights. A fluorescein stain test is the most common eye test performed and may be the only test needed if the ulcer is acute and very superficial. If the ulcerated area is chronic or very deep, samples will be taken for culture and cell study prior to applying the stain or other medication.

How is a corneal ulcer treated?

Treatment depends on whether there is a corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, or descemetocele present.

Simple corneal abrasions generally heal within three to five days. Medication is used to prevent bacterial infections (antibiotic ophthalmic drops or ointment) and sometimes to relieve spasm and pain (atropine ophthalmic drops or ointment). Antibiotic drops are only effective for a few minutes so they must be applied frequently; ointments last a bit longer but still require application every 6-8 hours.  Atropine generally lasts many hours and is applied less frequently.

If a corneal ulcer or descemetocele is present, measures must be taken to protect the eye and to promote healing. Since dogs do not wear eye patches well, surgery may be required to protect the injury and allow for normal healing. In certain cases, it may be necessary to perform surgery to remove dead or poorly healing layers of corneal tissue, or to perform a corneal graft. Your veterinarian will choose the best surgery to optimize healing for your pet.

Are there any side-effects from the eye medications?

Occasionally a dog will be sensitive to an ophthalmic antibiotic. If your dog seems to be in more pain after the medication is used, discontinue it and contact your veterinarian immediately.

A corneal ulcer is usually painful so the eye is kept shut. Atropine relieves the pain but also dilates the pupil widely. Therefore, the eye is sensitive to light and many dogs will squint or close the eye when exposed to bright light. The effect of atropine may last for several days after the drug is discontinued. Do not be alarmed if the pupil stays dilated for several days.

My dog began to drool excessively and paw at its mouth after I administered the eye medications. Is that a reaction?

No. The tear ducts drain tears from the eyes to the back of the throat. Eye medications may go through the tear ducts and eventually get to the throat where they are tasted. Atropine has a very bitter taste, which may cause drooling, and pawing at the mouth. You are seeing your dog's response to a bad taste, not a drug reaction.

Since a corneal ulcer is painful, can I apply a topical anesthetic to the cornea?

A topical anesthetic is often used to numb the cornea so the diagnostic tests may be performed. However, these drugs often delay healing and should be used with discretion. Atropine is used to reduce your dog's pain and discomfort, if indicated.

How do I know when to discontinue medication?

The best way to tell that the cornea has healed is to repeat the fluorescein stain test. This will be performed by your veterinarian five to seven days after treatment has begun.

There appear to be some red streaks near the ulcer. Is that normal?

The normal cornea has no blood vessels in it. However, when a corneal ulcer or descemetocele occurs, the body tries to heal by growing new blood vessels through a process called neovascularization. The new vessels begin at the sclera (the white part of the eye) and cross the cornea to the ulcer.

Neovascularization is a good response because it indicates healing. However, after the ulcer is healed, these vessels remain in the cornea. They are not painful, but they do obstruct vision. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize their size. This is done with the use of ophthalmic drops or ointment containing a corticosteroid, which may be used for a few days to several weeks, depending on how much neovascularization is present.

It is important that steroids are not used in the eye too soon because they will stop the healing process and may cause complications. Therefore, the fluorescein dye test should be performed before beginning this type of medication. If steroids are used and the eye becomes painful again, immediately discontinue the steroids and contact your veterinarian.