Ocular ultrasonographic evaluation of cataractous and pseudophakic eyes in dogs

Authors: SHRIRAM GANESAN, RAMANI CHANDRASEKHARA IYER

Abstract: Ocular B-mode ultrasonography is one of the noninvasive, rapid diagnostic imaging techniques indicated in canine cataract patients to evaluate the posterior segment of the eye. This study was conducted on twelve eyes of dogs with a history of cataract, which were scanned under topical anesthesia. The preoperative and postoperative ultrasonographic biometry, and ultrasonographic features of the lens, intraocular lens (IOL), and posterior segment were recorded. There was a significant difference between pre- and postphacoemulsification mean value of the axial length of globe and anterior chamber depth. The normal ultrasonographic features of the 2-hydroxy-ethyl-methylacrylate IOL was observed in vitro by placing the IOL in a coupling gel bath; it appeared as a "flying saucer" with hyperechoic margins and a central anechoic optic area and similar findings were also observed in pseudophakic eyes. Posterior segment changes such as posterior vitreous detachment were noticed in two dogs and retinal detachment in one dog postoperatively. In conclusion, ocular B-mode ultrasonography could be used to locate the position of the IOL in canine pseudophakic eyes. Ocular ultrasound is still more a useful tool to locate the position of the IOL postoperatively, even in pseudophakic eyes with corneal edema or iris synechiae in dogs.

Keywords: Eye, ultrasonography, dog, cataract, pseudophakic

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