Phenotypic Characterization of Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy in German Shorthaired and Wirehaired Pointers Using In Vivo Advanced Corneal Imaging and Histopathology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal morphology using ultrasonic pachymetry (USP), Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in 2 related canine breeds-German shorthaired pointers (GSHPs) and German wirehaired pointers (GWHPs)-with and without corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED). This condition is characterized by premature endothelial cell degeneration leading to concomitant corneal edema and is similar to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. METHODS: Corneas of 10 CED-affected (4 GSHP and 6 GWHP) and 19 unaffected, age-matched (15 GSHP and 4 GWHP) dogs were examined using USP, FD-OCT, and IVCM. A 2-sample t test or Mann-Whitney rank-sum test was used to statistically compare parameters between both groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (range). RESULTS: Central corneal thickness determined using USP was significantly greater in CED-affected than in unaffected dogs at 1179 (953-1959) and 646 (497-737) µm, respectively (P < 0.001). Central epithelial thickness was found to be significantly decreased in CED-affected versus unaffected dogs at 47 ± 7.1 and 55 ± 7.1 µm, respectively (P = 0.011), using FD-OCT. With IVCM, corneal endothelial density was significantly less (P < 0.001) in 5 dogs with CED versus 19 unaffected controls at 499 ± 315 versus 1805 ± 298 cells/mm, respectively. CED-affected dogs exhibited endothelial pleomorphism and polymegethism, whereas CED-unaffected dogs had regular hexagonal arrangement of cells. CONCLUSIONS: GSHPs and GWHPs with CED exhibit marked differences in corneal morphology when compared with age-matched control dogs. These 2 CED-affected breeds represent spontaneous, large animal models for human Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Bullous keratopathy in a yellow-headed caracara (Milvago chimachima) treated with a modified third eyelid flap / Ceratopatia bolhosa em caracará (Milvago chimachima) tratado com flap de terceira pálpebra modificado

A Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) was submitted to the Ophthalmology Service of the Federal University of Bahia with a corneal abnormality. During ophthalmic evaluation the right cornea was stained positively with fluorescein; a blurred bullous lesion, with irregular surface, compatible with the diagnosis of bullous keratopathy was found. This is a rare condition in a bird which was treated successfully with a modified third eyelid flap associated with antibiotic and hyaluronic acid eye drops. The adopted therapeutic proved to be simple to implement and viable for repair of the bullous keratopathy in the Yellow-headed caracara.(AU)

Um gavião carrapateiro (Milvago chimachima) foi encaminhado ao Serviço de Oftalmologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal da Bahia com alteração em córnea. Durante a avaliação oftálmica a prova da fluoresceína foi positiva no olho direito e foi observado lesão bolhosa de aspecto irregular, compatível com o diagnóstico de ceratopatia bolhosa. Esta é uma alteração rara em aves e no presente caso foi tratada através de "flap" modificado de terceira pálpebra associado a utilização de colírio antibiótico e ácido hialurônico. A terapêutica adotada foi de fácil implementação e viável no reparo da ceratopatia bolhosa em gavião carrapateiro.(AU)