The use of corneal collagen cross-linking for the treatment of keratolysis in horses

Abstract

Keratolysis - is corneal tissue damage with stroma meltdown, caused by combined exposure to toxins released by microorganisms and MMP[1,2]. Treatment of keratomalacia involves the use of antibiotics, inhibition of proteolysis, and prevention or elimination of anterior uveitis. Antibiotic treatment of equine cornea with keratolysis can lead to acquired antibiotic resistance and selective propagation of resistant bacteria [3, 4]. The objects of the study were 10 horses with keratolysis, located in Moscow, and the Moscow, regione horse stables. The horses were divided into 2 groups, consisting of five animals. First group of patients were given the traditional treatment protocol, second group of horses were given crosslinking. For diagnosis, we used a Heine binocular lamp, a Schwabe,s slit lamp, and a fluorescein. Analysis of the results of treatment of first group: healing active neovascularization, and a dense scar was formed, second group horses: healing epithelization and translucent opacity was formed of a of 5±1 mm size. First group treatment was 45±2 days, second group treatment was 21±2 days. Well, crosslinking in horse reduces the treatment time, provides healing by the epithelization with the conservation of corneal transparency behind to the antibacterial effect, inhibition of proteolysis, and compaction of its tissue.