What type of ulcer is referred to as an "indolent ulcer" or "boxer ulcer"?

An indolent ulcer, also known as a "boxer ulcer," is characterized by its tendency to be a chronic and recurrent corneal condition. These ulcers primarily affect the corneal epithelium and often occur in certain breeds, particularly brachycephalic breeds, such as Boxers, which is how the term "boxer ulcer" originated.

The defining feature of an indolent ulcer is its failure to heal normally and its propensity to recur. This situation arises from underlying issues with the corneal epithelium, such as incomplete adhesion to the underlying stroma, which prevents proper healing. While superficial ulcers typically heal with appropriate treatment, indolent ulcers often require specific interventions like debridement or the use of topical medications, as they do not respond to conventional treatments as expected.

In this context, the other types of ulcers, such as superficial ulcers or deep stromal ulcers, do not share the same chronic or recurrent nature or characteristics associated with indolent ulcers. They typically present differently, focusing on the depth and nature of the corneal damage rather than the underlying healing issues that define an indolent ulcer.