Cataracts are not associated with retinal detachment in the Bichon Frise in the UK--a retrospective study of preoperative findings and outcomes in 40 eyes

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Bichon Frise population in the UK is at the same risk of developing retinal detachment in association with cataract formation and following phacoemulsification as described in reports from the USA. Procedures The medical records of Bichon Frises which were presented for cataract assessment and of those which were treated with phacoemulsification at Willows Referral Service between 1997 and 2009 were reviewed. Results Forty eyes (26 dogs) with unilateral or bilateral cataracts were included in the study. There was no evidence of retinal detachment associated with the cataracts at initial presentation. Phacoemulsification was performed on 34 eyes (20 dogs). Clinically evident lens‐induced uveitis was treated preoperatively in 17/34 eyes. Artificial lens implantation was carried out in 30/34 eyes; automated anterior vitrectomy was performed in 7/34 eyes. The mean follow‐up time was 16.6 months (range 1.5–73 months). At the last re‐examination, 31/34 eyes (91.2%) were visual. Three eyes (8.8%) were blind – two (in the same dog) because of presumptive bilateral optic nerve disease and one because of uveitis and secondary glaucoma. There was no evidence of retinal detachment following phacoemulsification in any of the 34 eyes. Conclusion This study suggests that the Bichon Frise population in the UK does not appear to have a predisposition for retinal detachment in association with cataract formation or following cataract surgery. Prophylactic random transscleral laser retinopexy or transscleral cryopexy cannot therefore be routinely recommended for Bichon Frises with cataracts in the UK.     

Inheritance of cataract in the Bichon Frise

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mode of inheritance of cataract formation in the Bichon Frise. MATERIALS: Thirty-six closely related Bichon Frise dogs in a pedigree of 61 dogs were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy over a period of 10 years. RESULTS: Of the 61 related dogs, 36 were examined repeatedly. Twelve cataractous dogs were diagnosed (three males and nine females). Cataractous dogs resulted from matings between unaffected parents, and when one parent was cataractous and the other parent was unaffected. Age at onset of cataract formation ranged from 18 to 160 months. Available information suggests that the cataracts are inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. CONCLUSION: Cataracts appear inherited in the Bichon Frise as an autosomal recessive trait. Additional cataract x cataract matings are necessary to confirm the autosomal recessive heredity.     

Three hundred and three dogs with cataracts seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objective  To describe the most common canine breeds affected with cataracts in Rio de Janeiro.
Animals  Three hundred and three dogs were included in this retrospective study. Animal ages ranged from 6 months to 14.8 years.
Material and methods  All records of dogs seen by the Ophthalmology Service of Policlínica Veterinária Botafogo between January 2005 and June 2008 were reviewed. Animals with cataracts were separated, and breed and age were evaluated.
Results  Most of the dogs presented with cataracts were Toy Poodles with a mean age of 8.2 years, followed by Cocker Spaniels and Bichon Frises. The percentage of Toy Poodles affected with cataracts was 13.8% while 33.3% of Bichon Frise was diagnosed with cataracts.
Conclusions  Toy Poodles are a popular breed in Rio de Janeiro. Without regulations on breeding, the prevalence of cataracts may increase rapidly. Furthermore, due to the relatively late onset of cataract formation in the Toy Poodle (mean 8.2 years of age), affected animals may have produced several litters of puppies. This study emphasizes the importance of screening for the presence of inherited ocular abnormalities such as cataracts prior to breeding.     

Cataracts in the Bichon Frise

Purpose To determine the clinical characteristics of possible inherited cataract in the Bichon Frise breed. These characteristics include the relative frequency, gender effects, site of first cataract formation, age of onset, relationship of age to cataract maturity, and other concurrent pre‐ and postoperative ophthalmic diseases. Methods Four different populations of Bichon Frise were examined. They included: (1) referred patients of the University of Florida (VMTH; 1990–2000); (2) patients from other universities and large institutions (VMDB; 1970–2000); (3) patients from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF; 1970–2000); and (4) special patients recruited from eye clinics and ACVO specialty practices (1995–2001). Blood samples were obtained from many patients for future DNA analyzes. Statistical comparisons between groups were by general linear and anova analyzes, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The four populations of cataractous and total Bichon Frise dogs included: (1) UF‐VMTH: 57 cataractous dogs; (2) VMDB: 406 dogs (28%) with cataracts; total dogs ? 1407; (3) CERF: 505 cataractous dogs (6%); total dogs ? 8222; and (4) ACVO: 223 cataractous dogs (57%); total dogs ? 391. In each population group, gender did not affect cataract distribution. Dogs between 2 and 8 years of age were most frequently affected, and initial cataract involvement affected equally the anterior and posterior cortices. Immature cataracts occurred more often in younger dogs, and hypermature cataracts were more frequently diagnosed in older dogs. Dogs with early cataracts were encountered more frequently in the CERF population. Pre‐ and postoperative retinal detachments (RD) were not infrequently diagnosed in the UF‐VMTH and VMDB groups. RD in the UF‐VMTH and VMDB groups occurred in 33% and 13% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions Cataracts were first encountered in CERF and VMDB data between 1975 and 1979 and have increased since this time. As expected, both similarities and differences between the four different populations of Bichon Frise were encountered. Both sexes of dogs are equally affected. The anterior and posterior cortical areas of the lens were first involved and dogs 2–8 years of age are most frequently affected. Cataracts affected younger dogs in the CERF group and older cataractous dogs in the other populations. Cataract formation appears to be inherited in the Bichon Frise dog. The frequency of pre‐ and postoperative retinal detachments present higher risks for cataract surgery in this breed.     

Retrospective study of prophylactic random transscleral retinopexy in the Bichon Frise with cataract

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of prophylactic random transscleral retinopexy (PRTR) in preventing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the Bichon Frise with juvenile cataract. The medical records were reviewed from a private veterinary ophthalmology practice of nondiabetic Bichon Frise dogs younger than 11 years that had inherited cortical cataracts in one or both eyes and that had a follow-up examination after at least 9 months. Eyes were included in the study if the fundus could be visualized by indirect ophthalmoscopy at the last examination either because of phacoemulsification or resorption of the cataract. Four groups of eyes were identified. In group 1, no PRTR was performed and there was resorption of the cataract; in group 2, eyes had no PRTR performed and phacoemulsification of the cataract. Group 3 had PRTR performed and resorption of the cataract. In group 4, PRTR was performed as was phacoemulsification of the cataract. In group 1, 20 eyes had resorbed cataracts, and 12 (60%) of these had RRD. In group 2, 18 eyes had phacoemusification of the cataract, and 10 (55%) of these had RRD. In group 3, 19 eyes had PRTR and resorbed cataracts, and 2 (10%) of them had RRD. In group 4, 39 eyes had PRTR and phacoemulsification of the cataract; of these 5 (12%) had RRD. The Bichon Frise dog with inherited cataract is at high risk of RRD. PRTR reduces this risk.