Corneal stromal sequestration and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a horse

Abstract

A 19-year-old Shetland pony presented with unilateral ocular discomfort and abnormal ocular appearance. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, ulcerative keratitis and brown discoloration of the corneal stroma were identified on ophthalmic examination. The etiology of keratoconjunctivitis sicca was not determined in this case. For practical and financial reasons, the owners requested enucleation of the affected eye. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive loss of corneal epithelium overlying a zone of hypereosinophilic, degenerate, and necrotic corneal stroma. This well-circumscribed region of corneal stromal sequestration was surrounded by stromal vascularization, and an intense inflammatory, predominantly polymorphonuclear, cellular infiltrate. The clinical and histopathologic features of this case were considered remarkably similar to those observed in feline corneal stromal sequestration.