Comparison of the effects of third eyelid flap,dehydrated corneal collagen barrier (vet shield) and third eyelid flap application on corneal healing after surgical procedure in corneal damage and diseases in cats

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of dehydrated corneal collagen barrier, which has been used in human medicine for many years, in the treatment of corneal damage and diseases in cats. In the study, 20 cats brought to Karşıyaka Veterinary Clinic (IZMIR) with corneal damage and disease were used. The cats were divided into 2 groups: 9 cats in the dehydrated corneal collagen barrier group and 11 cats in the non-dehydrated corneal collagen barrier group. Within the scope of the study, all cats were premedicated with intramuscular injection of Medetomidine HCL at a dose of 80 µg/kg. Isoflurane was inhaled at a concentration of 4% for induction and 1-2% for general anesthesia. Proparacaine HCl was used as a local anesthetic and tropicamide as a mydriatic agent before the surgical procedure. After keratectomy and/or debridement deemed necessary in the cornea, while only the third eyelid flap was applied to the 1st group, DCCB was applied to the 2nd group before the third eyelid flap. Third eyelid flaps were opened after 28 days in both groups, at the 1st, 2nd and 4th week, the extent of healing in the lesions was measured and evaluated with Image J program. While there was no statistical difference in terms of the healing extent of the lesions between the pre-op, 1st week, 2nd week, and 4th week of the group in which dehydrated corneal collagen barrier was not used during the operation, there was a statistically significant difference in the healing dimensions of the lesions between the pre-op, 1st week, 2nd week and 4th week of the group that used DCCB during the operation (p:0,020). In conclusion; the use of dehydrated corneal collagen barrier had a positive effect on the healing of corneal lesions in cats with corneal damage and diseases.