Norman, an 8-year-old French Bulldog, came to see our Ophthalmologist, Dr. Quantz, after an emergency veterinarian diagnosed him with a ruptured cornea.

KCS, commonly known as dry eye, is a common condition in many dog breeds and occurs when there is reduced tear production in one or both eyes. There can be several underlying causes for dry eye disease, but if the disease is not controlled, it can lead to an increased risk for corneal ulcers (scratches) and scarring. Corneal ulcers that develop in the face of uncontrolled dry eye disease can be challenging to manage and may require surgical intervention to save the eye.

In Norman’s case, his right eye had stopped producing tears due to an inner ear infection that was being treated by his primary veterinarian. Since Norman’s dry eye disease was so severe, a small injury to his eye quickly progressed to a corneal ulcer that ruptured. Without specialized care, Norman risked losing the eye entirely. The ER veterinarian recommended an urgent consultation with Dr. Quantz in hopes of saving his vision.

At his appointment, Dr. Quantz examined Norman and diagnosed him with a ruptured corneal ulcer. The best option to preserve his vision was a conjunctival graft, a surgical procedure in which Norman's own conjunctival tissue is stitched to the cornea, which provides structural support and a direct blood supply to aid in healing. In addition to strict medication administration and rest after surgery, an e collar was needed to protect the eye as it was healing.

Norman’s owners were fully committed to his care. They kept his e collar on around the clock and brought him in for regular rechecks to make sure the healing process stayed on track. Thanks to their dedication and the surgical expertise of Dr. Quantz, Norman’s eye healed beautifully, and his vision remains intact.

“We are very happy with our experiences with Dr. Quantz and everyone at the hospital. This has been a journey, and we never felt like we were in this alone. If I had a question or concern, everyone was very helpful. We are thankful that we were able to save his eye. Thank you for everything.”