Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog eyes with Elschnig pearl cataract growth that went away on their
By Lee, Eunji et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2024·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperproliferation of Elschnig pearl-type posterior capsule opacification and spontaneous regression in two pseudophakic canine eyes.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old male Spitz and a 4-year-old female Bichon Frise both developed eye problems after cataract surgery, including a condition called Elschnig pearls, which are small opacities that can form behind the lens. The dogs showed signs of uveitis, or inflammation in the eye, which improved with anti-inflammatory medications but flared up again when the treatment was reduced. Fortunately, after about five months, the Elschnig pearls began to shrink on their own, and by the last check-up, most had disappeared without any further issues. This suggests that with proper monitoring and treatment, these eye problems can resolve themselves over time.
People also search for: dog cataract surgery complications · dog eye inflammation treatment · Elschnig pearls in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the hyperproliferation of Elschnig pearl-type posterior capsule opacification and concurrent uveitis in two canine eyes after phacoemulsification, followed by spontaneous resolution of the Elschnig pearls. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 10-year-old castrated male Spitz (Case 1) and a 4-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise (Case 2). PROCEDURE: Elschnig pearls proliferating beyond the anterior capsulotomy site were observed in the right eye 10 months after bilateral diabetic cataract surgery (Case 1) and 7 months after unilateral cataract surgery (Case 2). In both cases, hyperproliferation occurred where the anterior capsule did not overlap with the intraocular lens (IOL), and was accompanied by aqueous flare. In Case 1, the pearls extended from the anterior capsule and adhered to the iris, causing focal posterior synechia. No other possible causes of uveitis were apparent. RESULTS: Initially, uveitis severity improved after the administration of topical and systemic anti-inflammatory drugs. However, uveitis recurred when the dosage of anti-inflammatory treatment was reduced. The Elschnig pearls underwent morphological changes throughout the follow-up period. In both cases, the pearls beyond the anterior capsulotomy resolved spontaneously after 5 months. Only a few pearls remained between the IOL and posterior capsule, and no recurrence of pearl proliferation was observed at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous Elschnig pearl regression in dogs. Lens-induced uveitis (LIU) may have been caused by anterior chamber hyperproliferative pearls. LIU associated with hyperproliferative pearls may be managed with appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment and monitoring.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38071419/