One-year-old Arthur developed a corneal sequestrum in his left eye last summer.
Corneal Sequestrum Surgery Saves Cat’s Sight
1 day ago 
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Ophthalmologists at The Pet Eye Clinic, an independent referral practice in Bury St Edmunds, have successfully saved the sight of a young cat suffering from a painful eye condition.
One-year-old Arthur developed a corneal sequestrum in his left eye last summer. The condition was causing him significant discomfort, characterised by squinting, redness and discharge. Although his primary vet prescribed a course of eye drops, the condition failed to improve.
Later that year, Arthur was referred to The Pet Eye Clinic, where he was placed under the care of Dr Francesca Capaldo, an advanced practitioner in veterinary ophthalmology. Upon careful examination of Arthur’s eye, Dr Capaldo identified a patch of necrotic (dead) tissue on the surface of the cornea.
Dr Capaldo said: “After discussing with the owner, I advised surgical removal via superficial keratectomy, and we admitted Arthur to the hospital the same day.
“Under general anaesthesia, and with the aid of the surgical operating microscope, we debrided the cornea around the sequestrum with a cotton bud. The debrided area, including the sequestrum, was delimited by a square incision made with a depth-set knife and removed via superficial keratectomy with a crescent knife.
“A soft bandage contact lens was placed to protect the cornea, and a drop of Tropicamide was applied to treat the reflex uveitis”.
Following the procedure, Arthur was able to head home that same day. His owner closely followed the aftercare plan, which included daily eye drops and a corneal gel, leading to his full recovery. Arthur’s eye is now bright and clear, with no scar at all on the cornea surface.
Arthur’s owner, Sarah Cook, said: “Arthur is very dear to me, so I was understandably nervous about leaving him in an unfamiliar place and undergoing eye surgery. However, as soon as I met Francesca, she immediately made me feel at ease by taking the time to explain the procedure and encouraging me to ask questions.
“I recognised straight away her expertise in this field of work and felt reassured. After the surgery, Francesca provided a detailed report and post-operative guidance. Arthur's eye healed very nicely and I couldn't recommend Francesca enough. She is such an experienced and caring vet who gave me my beautiful blue-eyed boy back, and for that I am so grateful.”
Regular eye screening is beneficial for all pets to prevent or delay issues such as glaucoma, retinal disease and cataracts. Many eye conditions often go unnoticed until the later stages, by which point they can start to affect an animal’s quality of life.
To help prevent these conditions, The Pet Eye Clinic provides a state-of-the-art ophthalmology referral service. Based at Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre, the expert team uses advanced specialist equipment and extensive expertise to treat a wide range of eye conditions and diseases.
The Pet Eye Clinic also works with referring vets and pet owners to ensure the best possible outcomes. For more information, call 01284 747000 or visit www.thepeteyeclinic.co.uk
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