Phacoemulsification in a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Phacoemulsification and prophylactic retinopexy were performed on a 3‐month‐old hand‐raised clouded leopard with a unilateral mature cataract. The same procedures were repeated 3 months later when a cataract developed in the fellow eye. Examination procedures, anesthetic protocols, and surgical techniques were similar to those utilized in domestic cats. The patient retains highly functional aphakic vision at the present age of 2.5 years. An inherited basis for the cataracts is proposed. Although the cub was hand raised, the cataracts were unlike nutritional cataracts reported previously in domestic cats and dogs. To the author’s knowledge this is the first report of cataract formation and phacoemulsification in a clouded leopard.     

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.     

Canine retinal surgery

Retinal detachment is common in dogs and presents major challenges for the veterinary ophthalmologist. This article reviews recent advances in both technology and technique that have greatly increased the success rate of retinal reattachment surgery. Internal and external techniques for the repair of retinal detachments are discussed, as is the etiopathogenesis of vitreoretinal disease in the dog.     

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.     

Transpupillary diode laser retinopexy in dogs: ophthalmoscopic,fluorescein angiographic and histopathologic study

Objective To evaluate the ophthalmoscopic, fluorescein angiographic and light microscopic effects of diode laser retinopexy application in the tapetal and nontapetal fundus in the dog, and to ascertain appropriate laser power settings for production of photocoagulative lesions in these two regions. Animals studied Three adult female Beagle dogs. Procedures Laser burns were applied to selected areas in the fundus with an indirect headset delivery system using settings varying from 100 to 200 milliWatts (mW) and from 100 to 600 milliSeconds (mS) with total delivered energy ranging between 15 and 100 milliJoules (mJ). The dogs were then monitored by ophthalmoscopic examination and fluorescein angiography at regular intervals for 7–28 days. Histopathologic studies were performed at 7, 14 and 28 days after laser application. Results The diode laser produced ophthalmoscopically visible lesions in the nontapetal fundus with all laser settings used, and the appearance of these lesions corresponded to the energy levels used, and degree of pigment in the lased region. Gray‐white colored lesions with minimal subsensory retinal edema were seen with settings as low as 100 mWatts/150 mSeconds. In the tapetal fundus, laser burns were more difficult to produce, less repeatable, and required higher energy levels. Laser burns appeared as bronze, dark green or black discolorations of the tapetum with varying degrees of subsensory retinal edema. Lesions were more reproducible and were achieved with lower settings in the tapetal area of the tapetal/nontapetal junction. Ophthalmoscopically, depigmentation and repigmentation of the RPE (nontapetal fundus) and degenerative changes in the overlying retina (tapetal fundus) developed in the laser burns over the 28‐day study period. Fluorescein angiographic studies showed disruption of the blood–retinal barrier at the level of the RPE and fluorescein leakage into the subsensory retinal space was seen in most lesions at 24 h, was minimal at 3 days, and had resolved by 7 days. Histologically, grayish‐white lesions in the nontapetal fundus, and bronze to small black lesions in the tapetal fundus were typically characterized by outer retinal necrosis and RPE migration. Gliosis was considered minimal, was confined to the retina, and no inflammatory cells were seen. Peripheral intense white lesions (nontapetum) and lesions with a black center (tapetal fundus) were characterized by more extensive panretinal and choroidal necrosis. Most of the nontapetal lesions and a few in the tapetal fundus showed the formation of a central retinal detachment. Conclusions The diode laser effectively produces lesions suitable for retinopexy in both the nontapetal, pigmented fundus and the tapetal fundus, although variably so in the latter region. Initial laser settings of 100–150 mW/200 mS for the pigmented fundus, and 150 mW/200–300 mS for the peripheral tapetal fundus are recommended, and the clinician should gradually increase time interval settings to achieve a grayish‐white lesion in the nontapetum, and a bronze to slightly black lesion in the tapetal fundus. If possible, retinopexy should be applied to the peripheral tapetal area or tapetal/nontapetal junction.