Infiltrates in an equine corneal ulcer can reflect healing. True or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the extent of infiltration
• D. Only when accompanied by edema

Answer: (A)

Inflammatory cell infiltration into a corneal ulcer is part of the healing process. When an ulcer forms, immune cells (primarily neutrophils and later other cells) migrate into the stroma to clean up bacteria, debris, and necrotic tissue. This cellular activity accompanies tissue repair and remodeling, so seeing infiltrates can indicate that the eye is actively repairing the wound. As healing progresses and infection is controlled, these infiltrates typically diminish. Of course, infiltration can also reflect ongoing infection if it fails to resolve, so it should be interpreted in the context of the clinical picture and response to therapy.