The cornea is the clear front part of the eye. A thin layer of tissue called epithelium is the cornea’s protective outer layer. The inner surface is called the endothelium and the portion in between is called the stroma. A corneal abscess occurs when bacteria or fungus along with the animal’s own white blood cells enter the cornea through an injury. The injury may heal too quickly and essentially “seal” the bacteria or fungus inside the cornea creating a pocket of infection or abscess. Abscesses may also be sterile, with only white blood cells present.


