Use of hydropulsion for the treatment of superficial corneal foreign bodies: 15 cases (1999–2013)

Objective—To describe the use of hydropulsion with sterile isotonic buffered ophthalmic solution (ie, eyewash) for the treatment of superficial corneal foreign bodies in veterinary patients and evaluate signalment, clinical findings, and outcomes following the procedure. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—11 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 horses. Procedures—Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients that underwent hydropulsion treatment for a superficial, nonpenetrating corneal foreign body confirmed by ophthalmic examination. Data regarding signalment, reason for evaluation, ocular diagnoses, and treatment were recorded. Hydropulsion was performed with a 6-mL syringe filled with eyewash solution and a 25-gauge needle with the needle tip removed. Owners and referring veterinarians of patients that did not have a recheck examination recorded were contacted by telephone for follow-up information. Results—The corneal foreign body was an incidental finding in 3 of 15 patients. The most com...