Corneal impression cytology for the diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency in a dog

Abstract

A 14-year old, castrated, female terrier was referred to Near East Animal Hospital with a complaint of red eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed superficial corneal vascularization originating from conjunctiva and encompassing proximal one-third of cornea in 10-02 o"clock position together with photophobia and vision loss. Schirmer tear test was normal and fluorescein staining was negative for the affected eye. Since combined treatment with topical corticosteroid, antibiotic and cycloplegic did not improve the vascular regression, rather exacerbated the symptoms, blood and serum samples were collected for hematologic, biochemical and serologic analyses in order to investigate possible etiologic factors in human LSCD and to define its association with prevalent local blood disorders. As hematologic, biochemical and serologic test results were within the normal ranges, corneal impression cytology was conducted. Upon the observation of goblet cells the gold standard for the diagnosis of LSCD and the indicative of conjunctivalization in cornea the diagnosed of idiopathic partial limbal stem cell deficiency was confirmed in the dog in which it was the first case with ocular surface defect in veterinary medicine.

Keywords

• limbal stem cell deficiency (lscd)
• corneal impression cytology
• dog