Surgical Repair of Deep Melting Ulcers With Freeze-Dried Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Dogs and Cats.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of freeze-dried amniotic membrane (FDAM) used in veterinary medicine (Vetrix EyeQ) for the surgical treatment of deep melting ulcers in dogs and cats.

Materials and methods: A total of 15 dogs and 5 cats treated for deep melting corneal ulcers were included in this retrospective study. Following keratectomy, a simple or multilayer FDAM was placed into the keratectomy bed and sutured with 9/0 polyglactin suture material. A temporary third eyelid flap was performed for each case. Follow-up examinations were performed on average 18, 45, and 90 days after surgery. Final evaluation included assessment of corneal healing, preserved vision, and residual corneal opacities.

Results: A total of 20 eyes were treated between 2019 and 2023. Nine dog and four cat breeds were represented. Mean healing time was 17 ± 2 days. At 18 days postsurgery, inflammatory reaction with superficial vascularization was present in all eyes (20/20). At 45 days, 45% (9/20) of eyes showed persistent corneal neovascularization, mild corneal fibrosis, and focal corneal pigmentation. At 90 days, persistent severe pigmentation was observed in 10% (2/20) of eyes. Corneal transparency was successfully restored, and vision was preserved in 90% of cases (18/20).

Conclusion: FDAM transplantation was effective in treating melting corneal ulcers in dogs and cats.