Corneal sequestra are dark necrotic plaques on the cat cornea that cause chronic pain and discomfort, requiring surgical removal for definitive welfare improvement.
Cats with corneal sequestrum experience chronic ocular pain and discomfort from the necrotic corneal plaque. The condition causes squinting, excessive blinking, tearing, and rubbing of the eye that indicate ongoing discomfort. The dark plaque itself may partially obstruct vision depending on its location on the cornea. Secondary corneal vascularization and inflammation compound the primary discomfort. In brachycephalic breeds where the condition is most common, the underlying facial conformation continues to predispose to recurrence even after successful surgical treatment, creating a chronic welfare challenge. Surgical removal of the sequestrum provides more rapid and complete pain relief than conservative management.