An Accessible Surgical Technique for Corneal Dermoid Removal as an Alternative to Enucleation: A Case Report

Corneal dermoids compromise ocular health and comfort. Dermoids are made up of cutaneous tissues, often including long hairs. When these hairs contact the cornea or other surrounding tissues, they can result in pain and discomfort. In resource-limited environments, veterinarians often perform enucleation of the affected eye to relieve the discomfort associated with corneal dermoids. This report describes a novel surgical technique to remove a canine corneal dermoid in a shelter using readily available equipment and basic surgical principles. Successful outcome supports an alternative to enucleation and/or referral for treatment of corneal dermoids. Although this procedure may result in decreased corneal clarity at the surgical site, the clinical outcome is acceptable and should be considered when access to specialized equipment and care is not feasible.