Evaluation of Rose-Bengal Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy for Refractory Infectious Keratitis in Dogs and Cats (22 Cases).

RB-PDAT appears safe and effective for refractory infectious keratitis in dogs and cats.

This retrospective case series evaluated Rose Bengal Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (RB-PDAT) as adjunctive treatment for refractory infectious keratitis in 22 companion animal eyes (14 dogs, 8 cats). The procedure involved application of 0.1% Rose Bengal solution via iontophoresis followed by green-laser irradiation (520-525 nm) in two 2-minute cycles. All eyes achieved complete epithelialization within 30 days, with dogs healing faster (median 9 days) than cats (mean 14 days). Sixteen cases yielded positive cultures identifying 30 organisms, including multidrug-resistant strains. Clinical improvement occurred in all patients without significant adverse effects or need for additional surgery. The results suggest RB-PDAT is safe and effective for managing refractory infectious keratitis, potentially reducing dependence on aggressive antibiotic protocols and preventing surgical intervention. However, the authors acknowledge limitations of their retrospective design and emphasize that larger prospective studies are needed to establish definitive indications, safety parameters, and comparative efficacy in veterinary medicine.

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