title: Use of a nictitating membrane flap for treatment of feline acute corneal hydrops-21 eyes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a nictitating membrane flap (NMF) as therapy in 19 cats (21 eyes) affected with feline acute corneal hydrops (FACH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records from 19 cats diagnosed with FACH and treated with a NMF were retrospectively evaluated. Information was collected from multiple veterinary hospitals and included signalment, medical history, therapy, and ocular outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Breeds included 13 Domestic Shorthairs, 2 Exotic Shorthairs, 2 Maine Coons, 1 Persian, and 1 Domestic Medium Hair. Two cats were bilaterally affected. Median age of cats was 3.2 years (range 0.26-15 years). Eleven patients were spayed females, 6 were neutered males, and 2 were intact males. Topical steroids were previously administered in 5 (23.8%) eyes; oral steroids were previously administered in 7 cats (36.8% of patients); three patients received both oral and topical steroids. Thirteen of 21 (61.9%) eyes had a history of ocular disease including ulcerative and nonulcerative keratitis, anterior uveitis, corneal sequestrum, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma. Median duration of NMF was 15 days (range 6-30 days). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 1601 days (median 169 days). Corneal perforation occurred in 1 (4.7%) eye and was successfully repaired. One lesion (4.7%) in a diabetic patient did not resolve. Nineteen of the treated eyes (90.5%) resolved with no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A nictitating membrane flap successfully treated 90.5% of FACH eyes (89.5% of patients).
authors: BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tampa, FL, 33614, USA.
authors: Samantha L
authors: SL
authors: Pederson
authors: Cumming's School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Pizzirani
authors: Georgia Veterinary Specialists, Atlanta, GA, 30328, USA.
authors: Stacy E
authors: SE
authors: Andrew
authors: Upstate Veterinary Specialists, Greenville, SC, 29607, USA.
authors: Diana O
authors: DO
authors: Pate
authors: BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tampa, FL, 33614, USA.
authors: Jessica M
authors: JM
authors: Stine
authors: BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tampa, FL, 33614, USA.
authors: Tammy M
authors: TM
authors: Michau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: acute corneal hydrops; bullous keratopathy; feline; nictitating membrane flap; ophthalmology