A study of the morphology of canine eyes enucleated or eviscerated due to complications following phacoemulsification

This study was undertaken to describe the histopathologic abnormalities observed in canine eyes enucleated or eviscerated due to complications following phacoemulsification; to correlate these findings with the clinical abnormalities reported, and to suggest, if apparent, likely causes and effects of these abnormalities. Sixty-six canine globes or evisceration samples received for histopathologic interpretation over a 10-year period (1990-2000) were studied. All globes and evisceration samples were obtained from clinical patients examined by board-certified ophthalmologists. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stained sections were examined by light microscopy in every case. A tissue Gram stain was used when indicated. Clinical information obtained from the pathology submission form was reviewed in all cases, and obtained from questionnaires completed and returned by an ophthalmologist for 51 cases (77%). The most frequent histopathologic diagnoses were glaucoma (76%) and retinal detachment (64%). The most frequently reported clinical abnormalities in this series were glaucoma (86%) and uveitis (82%). Five problem areas were identified that appear to make a significant contribution to the failure of canine cataract surgery and merit further investigation: pre-iridal fibrovascular membranes; lens fiber regrowth; lens epithelial membranes; endophthalmitis, and the health of the corneal surgical incision.     

Phacoemulsification for the management of Encephalitozoon cuniculi-induced phacoclastic uveitis in a rabbit

Phacoemulsification was performed on a New Zealand White rabbit with slowly progressive unilateral phacoclastic uveitis and cataract formation. The irrigating solution with lenticular contents were centrifuged and examined cytologically using Weber's chromotrope-based stain. Microsporidial spores were observed and positively identified as Encephalitozoon cuniculi via polymerase chain reaction. More than 1 year following surgical therapy, the rabbit is visual and comfortable without medications.     

Phacoemulsification and +14 diopter intraocular lens placement in a Saddlebred foal

A 2‐month‐old, 110‐kg Saddlebred filly presented for evaluation of bilateral cataracts. A hypermature cataract in the left eye (OS) and an incipient nuclear cataract in the right eye (OD) were diagnosed. Electroretinography and ocular ultrasound revealed no contraindications for surgical removal of the cataractous lens OS. Phacoemulsification and implantation of a +14 diopter (D) intraocular lens (IOL) OS were performed at 4 months of age without complication, with the exception of a partial iridectomy performed on a small iris section that prolapsed through the corneal incision. Complete ophthalmic examinations, including ocular ultrasound and streak retinoscopy, were performed 1, 2, 6 weeks, 4 months, 1, and 2 years postoperatively. Diffuse corneal edema and a superficial corneal ulcer developed OS during the early postoperative period and resolved without complication. Dyscoria was identified owing to anterior synechia of the dorsomedial iris at the incision site. Two years after surgery, menace response, palpebral reflex, dazzle reflex, and pupillary light reflexes were present in both eyes (OU). The IOL remained centrally positioned within the capsule, with mild anterior tilting of the superior portion of the IOL and mild fibrosis of the lens capsule. The postoperative net refractive error was +0.31 D OS. Based on this report, a +14 D IOL may be the appropriate choice following lens extraction in a foal to achieve refraction near emmetropia at maturity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in a foal with long‐term follow‐up.