Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fast eye nerve and retina tests for dogs with cataracts
By Grozdanic, Sinisa D et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2013·Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Rapid diagnosis of retina and optic nerve abnormalities in canine patients with and without cataracts using chromatic pupil light reflex testing.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with cataracts and vision problems underwent a new test using colored lights to check for issues with their retinas and optic nerves. The study included dogs with cataracts alone, those with retinal degeneration or detachment, and healthy dogs. The results showed that the new test could quickly and accurately identify retinal problems, with a high success rate in detecting these issues. This means that if your dog has cataracts and is experiencing vision loss, this test could help your veterinarian diagnose any underlying retinal or optic nerve diseases more effectively.
People also search for: dog cataracts vision problems · retinal disease in dogs · optic nerve issues in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop fast and reliable testing routines for diagnosing retina and optic nerve diseases in canine cataract patients based on chromatic properties of the pupillary light reflex response. PROCEDURES: Seventy-seven canine patients with a history of cataract and decreased vision (43 patients with cataracts and no evidence of retina or optic nerve disease, 21 patients with cataracts and retinal degeneration [RD], 13 patients with cataracts and retinal detachment [RDT]), 11 canine patients with optic neuritis (ON) and 23 healthy dogs were examined using chromatic pupillary light reflex (cPLR) analysis with red and blue light and electroretinography. RESULTS: Electroretinography analysis showed statistically significant deficits in a- and b-wave amplitudes in dogs with cataracts and RD, or cataracts and RDT, when compared to dogs with cataracts without evidence of retinal abnormalities. Evaluation of b-wave amplitudes showed that presence of 78.5-μV (or lower) amplitudes had high sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 87.2-100%) and high specificity of 96.7% (95% CI: 88.4-100%) in RD and RDT. Evaluation of cPLR responses using red light showed that presence of the pupil end constriction diameter of 5.5 mm (or higher) had moderately high sensitivity of 76.5% (95% CI: 50.1-93.2%) and high specificity of 100% (95% CI: 91.2-100%) in detecting RD and RDT. Optic neuritis patients had absent cPLR responses, regardless of the visual status. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chromatic evaluation of the pupillary light reflex is a rapid and accurate test for diagnosing retina and optic nerve diseases in canine patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23227950/