Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Q&A 13
A four-year-old Sealyham Terrier presented with acute onset unilateral (right) ocular pain. There was marked blepharospasm and excessive lacrimation. Initial examination revealed episcleral congestion and mild corneal edema. The pupil was semidilated and non-responsive to light. The iris was bowed posteriorly but the fundus appeared normal, although the dog was blind on this side.
| Question | Answer | Article | |
| Describe the pathology seen in the eye. | The illuminated lateral equator of the displaced lens can be seen indicating the position of the lens in the anterior chamber. |
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| What is your diagnosis? | Secondary glaucoma due to anterior luxation of the lens. |
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| Why is the dog blind in this eye? | Because of the optic neuropraxia. |
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| What treatment would you prescribe? | Emergency therapy necessitates the reduction of the intraocular pressure to a physiological value. This can be achieved initially by using a hyperosmotic agent, providing the blood aqueous barrier is intact, but cure requires the emergency removal of the lens. The condition is inherited recessively and, although bilateral, there may be considerable delay between the first and second eye involvements. |
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