Manual cataract surgery outcomes in dogs with cataracts

Abstract

Background: Cataracts are among the most common causes of blindness in dogs. Lens extraction can be a very successful technique for restoring vision. Postoperative complications include uveitis, retinal detachments, corneal endothelial damage, capsular opacities, glaucoma, and hyphema. Various methods have been described for cataract surgery. Objectives: Our center lacks a phacoemulsification instrument, so we used manual extracapsular cataract extraction (MECCE) in dogs with bilateral or unilateral cataracts to investigate this method’s advantages and disadvantages. Methods: A total of 27 MECCEs were done on 19 dogs. Before surgery, pupillary light reflex (PLR) and ultrasonography were performed, and the health of both eyes was evaluated with a microscope. Under general anesthesia, at first, a sizable corneal incision (about 180 degrees) was performed. Then the axial portion of the anterior lens capsule was excised for cataractous cortex and nucleus extraction. Results: Eight Terrier breeds and one Poodle breed were represented, with both eyes affected and the rest unilaterally affected. They included 9 male and 10 female dogs with a mean age of 11.9 years (3 to 16.2 years). The evaluation spanned 2 years. The restoration of functional vision was obtained in all eyes with unilateral or bilateral cataract extractions for almost two weeks postoperatively. No signs of endophthalmitis, glaucoma, etc. were observed in any of the cases. Conclusion: MECCE can be an excellent technique in cases where more facilities and phacoemulsification tools are unavailable.