Abstract:
The efficacy of processed collagen diskette on corneal healing was evaluated by using the same in nine cases of corneal lesions presented to the Veterinary Hospitals of College of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. All the animals selected for the study were subjected to detailed clinical, haematological, wet film and blood smear examination and culture and sensitivity test of corneal swab before surgery. Exfoliative cytology and fluorescein test was conducted to evaluate healing process before and after surgery during the postoperative period.
The incidence of corneal lesions was found to be the highest among pugs especially among juveniles of seven to eight months of age. Fresh wounds were sutured using braided silk 8/0 and superficial lesions including ulcers were scarified. Corneal perforations with staphyloma were sutured after reducing the protruded portion of iris.
Collagen diskettes prepared from bovine Achilles tendon soaked in antibiotics were used for the present study. Antibiotic (selected according to the culture and sensitivity results) and anti-inflammatory eye drops were prescribed for topical use in all cases and oral antibiotics in selected cases after surgery.
The collagen diskettes could be applied very easily and were retained in position by tarsorrhaphy. The collagen applied was completely disappeared on the third day and the lesions were found healing from third day onwards. Healing of corneal injury/ ulceration/ perforation and staphyloma formation were found satisfactory and clarity of the cornea were observed from 28th day onwards and the cornea became more or less clear by about 60th day.
Vascularization of cornea developed in all the cases, except three, during the first week after surgery and then gradually decreased. Exfoliative cytology revealed presence of nucleated epithelial cells, anuclear keratinized cells and varying number of polymorphonuclear cells in these cases. Complications encountered during the study included, mutilation of sutures in two and corneal pigmentation in three.
Collagen diskettes used were found effective in promoting healing of corneal defects. Lesions were found to heal without much delay and the clarity of the cornea achieved was more or less complete except for a small scar at the site. All the animals tolerated the collagen diskette applied. Adverse reaction to the material was absent in any of the animals.
