Clinical characteristics and disease progression of central corneal degeneration syndrome in dogs closely resemble Terrien marginal degeneration in humans.

CCDS causes progressive corneal thinning in geriatric dogs; consider surgical intervention to prevent perforation.

This study describes central corneal degeneration syndrome (CCDS), a rare progressive corneal condition in dogs that closely resembles Terrien marginal degeneration in humans. The retrospective analysis included 11 eyes from 9 geriatric dogs (mean age 14.2 years) diagnosed between 2015 and 2024. CCDS is characterized by progressive deepening and widening of central corneal facets without ulceration, affecting axial or paraxial cornea. Initial facet depth varied from <50% to >90% of corneal thickness. Over a mean follow-up of 500 days, 10 of 11 eyes progressed to >90% depth, with 3 eyes experiencing corneal perforation. Two unperforated eyes successfully underwent corneoconjunctival transposition, restoring normal corneal thickness. The condition appears exclusive to older dogs and may present bilaterally. Surgical intervention is recommended when perforation risk is significant. This represents an important differential diagnosis for progressive corneal disease in geriatric canine patients.

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