ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate success rate, complications, and outcomes in dogs with anterior lens luxation (ALL) treated with intracapsular lens extraction (ICLE) or transcorneal lens reduction (TCLR). PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with ALL undergoing ICLE or TCLR from 2014 to 2021 were reviewed. Signalment, presenting complaint, history, ophthalmic examination findings, short-term complications, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 20 ICLEs and 31 TCLRs; however, some cases were included in both groups. One ICLE was unsuccessful and four had undergone TCLR first, leaving 15 ICLEs. Three TCLRs were unsuccessful, four were lost to follow up, and three subsequently underwent ICLE due to recurrent ALL, leaving 21 TCLRs. Anterior uveitis was more common following ICLE than TCLR, p < .001 The frequencies of other short-term complications (post-operative hypertension and corneal ulceration) were not statistically different between groups. Median follow-up was 256 and 48 days for ICLE and TCLR, respectively. Vision was retained in 7/10 (70%) eyes following ICLE and 4/9 (44%) eyes following TCLR, p = .34. Enucleation was recommended for fewer eyes following ICLE (2/15 [13%]) than TCLR (7/21 [33%], p = .47). In total, lens extraction was achieved in 19/20 (95%) ICLEs and lens reduction was achieved in 28/31 (90%) TCLRs. Anterior lens luxation recurred in 10/24 (41%) TCLRs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study adds data to the current knowledge base regarding the treatment of ALL in dogs and highlights the need for future prospective studies containing a larger number of animals to help inform treatment decisions for dogs with ALL.
ABSTRACT
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) in dogs is proposed to have an immune-mediated etiology. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the presence of antiretinal antibodies, as assessed by western blotting, in the serum of SARDS patients. Because of the possibility that antibodies recognize only conformational epitopes, we hypothesized that a more sensitive method to investigate circulating retinal autoantibodies in SARDS is immunofluorescence. Sera from 14 dogs with early SARDS, and 14 age- and breed-matched healthy control dogs were screened for circulating antiretinal IgG, IgM, IgE and IgA using indirect immunofluorescence on lightly fixed frozen sections of normal canine retina. Controls without canine serum were also performed. A nuclear counterstain was used to identify cellular retinal layers. Images were obtained using a fluorescence microscope, and 2-3 separate masked observers graded retinal layers for fluorescence staining intensity using a 0-3 scale. Total circulating IgG and IgM was assessed by radial immunodiffusion. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-way ANOVA, paired 2-tailed student's t-test and correlation analysis. Intensity of IgG staining of photoreceptor outer segments was significantly higher using serum from dogs with SARDS compared with healthy controls in 2/3 observers (P < 0.05). Intensity of IgM staining throughout the retina was higher in SARDS dogs compared to matched healthy controls (P < 0.0001), although no specific retinal layer was statistically significant. There were no differences in staining intensity for IgE or IgA. Dogs with SARDS had a comparably lower circulating IgG and higher IgM than healthy controls (P = 0.01 and 0.001 respectively) and IgG and IgM were negatively correlated (r = -0.69, P = 0.007). Despite having decreased serum IgG compared with healthy controls, circulating IgG in dogs with SARDS binds photoreceptor outer segments to a greater extent. Dogs with SARDS have a relatively higher circulating IgM than matched healthy controls. The pathogenic nature of these antibodies is unknown.
