Corneal ulcers can be frustrating when they don’t heal! While some ulcers are deep and may require aggressive medical management or referral to an ophthalmologist for surgical stabilization, the superficial non-healing corneal ulcer can often be managed by the general practitioner.

This presentation will focus on the classic non-healing “indolent ulcer” and what differentiates these lesions from other types of corneal ulcers. Discussion will include:

• A brief review of corneal anatomy and the pathophysiology of non-healing ulcers - specifically Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects (or SCCEDs) seen in dogs
• Key features of SCCEDs
• Alternative underlying etiologies that mimic these common lesions
• Straightforward tests to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning
• Step-by-step treatment plans - including a few tips to give practitioners the best chance of achieving a successful outcome
• Follow up care and possible complications

Running time: 51 minutes plus 8 mins of Q&A