Removal of an anterior chamber foreign body using hydropulsion and ophthalmic viscoelastic device capture in a dog.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the removal of an adherent, presumed plant-based, anterior chamber foreign body (ACFB) from the inferior iridocorneal angle in a dog using hydropulsion and ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) capture. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 6-year-old female spayed pit bull terrier who was referred for further evaluation of a corneal opacity after being observed running into a thorned succulent plant 1 month earlier. On ophthalmic examination, no corneal foreign body was noted, though mild uveitis was present. Gonioscopy revealed a suspected plant foreign body (thorn tip) in the inferior iridocorneal angle. PROCEDURE: Under general anesthesia, the ACFB was dislodged from the inferior iridocorneal angle using hydropulsion with balanced salt solution. The superior half of the anterior chamber had been filled with 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose OVD to trap the foreign object. One month later, the uveitis had resolved and repeat gonioscopy confirmed the absence of any ACFB in the iridocorneal angle. CONCLUSION: In the absence of an intraoperative goniolens or endoscopy, hydropulsion and OVD capture of adherent ACFBs may be a feasible option for removal.