Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy and Degeneration
Disease Description and Clinical Picture
Corneal endothelial dystrophy is a progressive pathological condition where there is a reduction in the number of endothelial cells, as well as changes in the appearance and function of corneal endothelial cells. Corneal endothelial cells play a role in maintaining water flow within the cornea, and when this role is impaired due to pathological changes, accumulation of fluid and corneal edema occur. Older dogs of specific breeds (Boston Terriers, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Miniature Poodles) are prone to this disease. Changes are noticed in both eyes, although they are not of the same intensity, and initially, they do not significantly affect vision quality. As the disease progresses, the fluid can organize and form small blisters (bullae) that, when burst, leave very painful ulcers on the cornea. With disease progression, the animal's eye becomes cloudy and bluish, and vision gradually deteriorates. 
 
Corneal endothelial degeneration can also develop as an acquired condition and can occur after surgical procedures (phacoemulsification), or as a result of diseases resulting the mechanical damage to the corneal endothelium (glaucoma, anterior lens luxation, intraocular tumor resulting in the contact with corneal tissue, excessive iris cyst accumulation resulting in the mechanical damage to the corneal endothelium). Also, with the aging of the dog, the number of endothelial cells progressively decreases, reaching a critical point where the endothelium can no longer maintain corneal stromal dehydration, resulting in corneal edema.
 
Therapy
In the early stages of the disease, when symptoms are minimal, the therapy is medical, with topical ointments of hypertonic sodium chloride and anti-inflammatory drugs. If the disease has progressed, surgical therapy is advised. Various surgical procedures are indicated. Some involve the removal of the superficial layer of the cornea and covering the lesion with the conjunctiva, which should drain the excess accumulated fluid, while others are based on the method of replacing the damaged endothelium with healthy donor tissue.
 
Please contact our specialty veterinary ophthalmology hospital Animal Eye Consultants
of Iowa (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com) in USA or Oculus Veterinary Specialty Hospital
(oculusklinika@gmail.com) in Serbia, Europe to schedule an appointment so your pet
can be seen.