SURGICAL KERATECTOMY WITH KERATOPLASTY OF A MELANOMA IN A PERSIAN CAT USING VETRIX EYEQ GRAFT

An ocular melanoma is a type of cancer that originates from the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes. In cats, melanomas are rare, with diffuse iris melanomas being the most common eye tumors. This case report describes an 8-year-old female Persian cat referred to our clinic for evaluation due to a dark spot extending to the cornea, obscuring vision, and unresponsive to prior drug treatments. Diagnosis was confirmed through histopathological examination of a tissue sample. The present case report details a complex keratectomy surgery performed to remove the melanoma, utilizing an amniotic graft to reconstruct the cornea. Initially, the procedure began as a straightforward keratectomy, but the melanoma's deep and superficial extension into the corneal tissue required filling the surgical gap with several layers of An-vision Vetrix� EyeQ amniotic graft for corneal reconstruction. The surgery was completed by applying a protective An-Bandage lens and suturing the external eye angle to reduce the palpebral fissure for added protection. Postoperatively, Vetrix EyeQ amniotic eye drops, An-HyPro eye gel, and antibiotic drops were administered for one month. The cat was reexamined at 1 week, and again at 1-, 6-, and 12-months post-surgery, with no signs of melanoma recurrence observed during follow-up. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of successfully removing the melanoma without enucleation, provided that proper surgical and postoperative management is applied, leading to favorable visual outcomes.