Healing Outcomes and Complications of Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects in French Bulldogs Following Diamond Burr Debridement and Bandage Contact Lens Placement Compared to a Population of Non-French Bulldogs.

Abstract

Objective: To compare age at diagnosis, procedure success and complications of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in French bulldogs compared with non-French bulldog breeds following diamond burr debridement and bandage contact lens placement (DBD/BCL).

Method: A retrospective review identified dogs treated with DBD/BCL between January 2020 and December 2024 at multiple ophthalmology referral hospitals. Dogs with concurrent ocular or systemic disease that could impair corneal re-epithelialization were excluded. Data collected included signalment, time from diagnosis to DBD/BCL, prior treatments and medications, healing time, contact lens retention at the first follow-up, additional procedures required for healing, and complications.

Results: A total of 332 SCCEDs from 288 dogs met the inclusion criteria: 119 SCCEDs from 100 French bulldogs and 213 SCCEDs from 188 other breeds. The mean age at diagnosis was 6.3 ± 1.7 years for French bulldogs and 8.9 ± 2.6 years for non-French bulldogs (p < 0.001). The median healing time following one DBD/BCL was 21 days (IQR: 15-34) for French bulldogs and 16 days (IQR: 14-21) for the comparison population (p < 0.001). Eighty-three percent (99/119) of French bulldogs healed after one DBD/BCL, compared to 89% (189/213) of non-French bulldogs (p = 0.153).

Complications: corneal infection, subepithelial bullae formation, exuberant granulation tissue, and pigment deposition were statistically more common in French bulldogs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: French bulldogs develop SCCEDs at a younger age and experience longer healing times with increased complication rates following DBD/BCL compared to other breeds.