PURPOSE. To evaluate the effect of topical suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA) and 5-methyl-1phenyl-2[1H]-pyridone (pirfenidone) on the degree of corneal haze in the stromal wounded ex vivo canine cornea. METHODS. Twenty-four corneoscleral rims from normal dogs were uniformly wounded with an excimer laser and placed into culture medium with an air-liquid interface. The control group (n ¼ 8) contained placebo-treated corneas. Treatment group 1 (n ¼ 8) received SAHA topically every 6 hours. Treatment group 2 (n ¼ 8) received pirfenidone topically every 6 hours. Each cornea was fluorescein stained and macrophotographed every 6 hours to assess epithelialization rate. All corneas were also macrophotographed weekly to assess optical clarity (haze). Images were analyzed for differences in pixel intensity between wounded (haze) and unwounded (nonhaze) regions, and haze surface area for each cornea was calculated. RESULTS. The mean epithelialization time was 47.25 hours in the control group, 45.00 hours in the SAHA group, and 43.50 hours in the pirfenidone group, revealing no significant difference (P ¼ 0.368). The median difference in pixel intensity between haze and nonhaze areas was 21.5 in the control group, 8.0 in the SAHA group, and 8.0 in the pirfenidone group, which is significant (P < 0.01). The median haze surface area was 12.96 mm 2 in the control group, 5.70 mm 2 in the SAHA group, and 5.92 mm 2 in the pirfenidone group, which is significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. Stromal-wounded ex vivo canine corneas exhibited greater optical clarity when treated with SAHA and pirfenidone than when placebo treated at 21 days. There was no significant difference in epithelialization rate between groups. Corneal contour was correlated with geographic haze distribution.

This ex vivo canine corneal wound healing model is an appropriate and clinically relevant tool for assessment and modulation of epithelial wound healing.

CASE DESCRIPTION An 18-month-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of conjunctivitis and skin-fold dermatitis secondary to bilateral microphthalmia, corneal dermoids, and ankyloblepharon. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed bilateral microphthalmia, bilaterally symmetrical corneal dermoids, ankyloblepharon, superior and inferior entropion, prognathism, and facial asymmetry with deviation of the nasal septum. Computed tomography revealed malformed, thickened bony orbits with mineralization of the orbital ligament bilaterally. Moderate rightward deviation of the nasal septum and ventral nasal meatus was also evident, with no identifiable maxillary sinuses. Results of MRI of the brain were unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasonography showed an irregularly marginated left kidney and a right kidney defect suggestive of chronic renal infarction. An abnormal, well-demarcated, focally thickened region of the muscularis externa of the jejunum was also evident. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Transpalpebral enucleation was performed bilaterally. Histologic examination of ocular tissues confirmed the corneal dermoids and microphthalmia with anterior and posterior segment dysgenesis and cataracts in both eyes. Ocular discomfort resolved after postoperative recovery, and follow-up revealed that the patient's activity level and quality of life were excellent. No clinical signs of upper respiratory, urinary, or gastrointestinal tract disease were observed during the approximately 3.5-year follow-up period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The congenital abnormalities observed resembled those described for human patients with Goldenhar syndrome, and the outcome of treatment was favorable. This report may prompt clinicians to consider this diagnosis when evaluating young cats with similar clinical signs.

Case description A yearling Thoroughbred stallion and an 8‐year‐old Saddlebred mare were evaluated for persistent mucoid ocular discharge. Clinical findings Examination of both horses revealed copious yellow‐tan mucoid ocular discharge with a negative Jones I test, absent nasal punctum, and unsuccessful anterograde nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation. Clinical abnormalities were present on the right side only in one horse and bilaterally in the other. Computed tomography (CT) with contrast confirmed nasolacrimal duct atresia in both horses. Treatment and outcome Under general anesthesia, the affected NLD was catheterized anterograde and contrast injected. Using fluoroscopic guidance, retrograde access to the distal NLD was obtained for through‐and‐through wire access. Over the wire, the stoma was dilated and a temporary stent placed for 4‐8 weeks. After the procedure, both horses were comfortable and free of ocular discharge at the minimum time of last follow‐up, 9 months postoperatively. Clinical relevance Fluoroscopically guided neocanalization is a viable alternative to traditional surgical approaches for NLD atresia, especially when access to the site of obstruction is limited.