Evaluation of vitreous degeneration as a potential risk factor for retinal detachment after phacoemulsification in dogs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate vitreous degeneration as a potential risk factor for retinal detachment in dogs after phacoemulsification. METHODS: Medical records for dogs with preoperative ocular ultrasound and phacoemulsification between September 28, 2006, and August 2, 2016, were reviewed. Ultrasound images were reviewed by two observers independently, and vitreous echogenicity was graded using an established scale. The following factors were compared between eyes with and without retinal detachment: signalment, operated eye, cataract stage at the time of surgery, and presence or absence of the following: lens-induced uveitis (LIU), glaucoma, anterior vitreous presentation, lens subluxation, history of prophylactic retinopexy, diabetes mellitus, operating surgeon, concurrent prophylactic retinopexy, posterior capsular tear, phacoemulsification duration, use of automated anterior vitrectomy, placement of an artificial intraocular lens, and intraocular lens type (polymethyl methacrylate or acrylic foldable). Total follow-up time was recorded. Presence and time from surgery to onset of complications were recorded. Retinal detachment was diagnosed based on observation via indirect ophthalmoscopy or ocular ultrasound. RESULTS: Evaluation for association between vitreous degeneration and retinal detachment included 290 eyes of 180 dogs. There was no statistically significant correlation between vitreous degeneration and postoperative retinal detachment. Retinal detachment was observed in 17 of 290 eyes (5.9%). Vitreous degeneration was marked as present by at least one observer in 189 of 290 eyes (65%). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonically identifiable vitreous degeneration does not correlate with increased risk of retinal detachment following phacoemulsification.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of the iridocorneal angle of the eye before and after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the iridocorneal angle (ICA) and angle opening distance (AOD) in dogs with cataractous and noncataractous lenses; evaluate cataractous eyes ultrasono-graphically for association of postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) with the ICA, AOD, and postoperative echogenic anterior chamber debris; and evaluate intraobserver reliability associated with ICA and AOD measurements. ANIMALS: 56 dogs with 102 cataracts, and 23 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURES: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on 102 eyes of 56 dogs before and after cataract surgery and on 46 nondilated and dilated eyes of 23 clinically normal dogs. Cataract stage, ICA, AOD, and association with POH were assessed. RESULTS: Cataract stage and ICA or AOD were not significantly associated; however, ICA and AOD typically decreased with increasing cataract maturity. Before and after pupillary dilation, AODs were significantly smaller in cataractous eyes than in noncataractous eyes. Before surgery, ICA and AOD in eyes without pupillary dilation were significantly associated with POH. At > 13 degrees , odds of developing POH increased by 11% for each degree increase in the ICA. Postoperative anterior chamber debris was not associated with POH. Coefficient of variation for repeated measurements was 10% for the ICA and 9.5% for the AOD, suggesting good intraobserver reliability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, dogs with larger ICA and AOD measurements before surgery were at greater risk of developing POH. This information may be useful for future studies to determine whether preventative treatment for POH administered prior to surgery may be beneficial.