Limbal autograft transplantation in a dog with alkali-induced ulceration

A case of a 3-month-old female mongrel dog with a history of apathy and previous contact with an alkaline (sodium hydroxide) is reported. The dog was reluctant to open the right eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed blepharospasm, photophobia, epiphora, discrete chemosis, conjunctival hyperemia, and diffuse corneal edema involving the limbus. The fluorescein test was positive and the result of the Schirmer tear test was 32mm min(-1). On the basis of these findings the diagnosis was alkali-induced ulceration and limbal autograft transplantation was performed. Corneal vascularization was observed by the third postoperative day, with intensification in vessel number and caliber on subsequent days and small areas of corneal transparency. The present results show that limbal autograft transplantation is a feasible procedure for the therapeutic management of alkali-induced corneal ulcers.