The medical records of eight horses with deep corneal stromal abscesses treated with full thickness therapeutic penetrating keratoplasties (TPK) at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching (UFVMTH) (1993-1996) were reviewed. The average time from first clinical signs to referral was 15.4 +/- 9.3 days (range 3 days to 36 days). Prior to referral, topical antifungal agents were used in only one case, and topical corticosteroids were used in two cases. Topical mydriatics and systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used in most horses. All horses at initial ophthalmic examination had some degree of corneal vascularization, while only one horse was fluorescein positive. Two horses had central corneal stromal abscesses, four horses had paracentral corneal stromal abscesses, and two horses had peripheral corneal stromal abscesses. Signs compatible with anterior uveitis were present in all horses at the time of presentation. The time from admittance at UFVMTH to surgery was 1.9 +/- 0.6 days (range 1 to 3 days). Recipient corneal beds were circular, and ranged in diameter from 6 mm (n = 3) to 8 mm (n = 4), or rectangular (n = 1). Four donor corneas were cryopreserved and four were freshly harvested. Absorbable 5/0 or 7/0 suture material (n = 5), and nonabsorbable 7/0 and 9/0 suture material (n = 3) secured the corneal grafts in place using a simple interrupted suture pattern alone (n = 5), or in combination with a simple continuous pattern (n = 3). Of the eight cases which underwent TPK, four had an adjunctive conjunctival pedicle or bridge graft. Cytology, culture and sensitivity of the diseased cornea, and histopathology of deep corneal stromal tissue and/or aqueous diagnosed a fungal etiologic agent in six cases. Fungal hyphae found in biopsy specimens were noted in deeper, rather than superficial, histologic corneal sections only. All grafts vascularized to some degree, but a successful outcome was achieved in all cases from therapeutic, anatomic and visual standpoints.
