Golden Retriever uveitis: 75 cases (1994–1999)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To document the presenting ocular signs and the clinical course of Golden Retriever dogs with a progressive anterior uveitis, often associated with the histologic presence of iridociliary cysts. Animals studied Seventy-five Golden Retriever dogs (142 affected eyes) referred to a private practice referral ophthalmology clinic between 1994 and 1999. Procedures Complete ophthalmic evaluation with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, applanation tonometry, and gonioscopy. Hematology, serum biochemical evaluations, and serologic titers for endemic infectious agents were also used in selected cases. RESULTS: The age range of affected dogs was 4.5-14.5 years, with a mean age of 8.6 +/- 2.1 years. The majority of the dogs (n = 66) were affected in both eyes at first presentation. The sex distribution included 4 intact males, 32 neutered males, and 39 spayed females. Hematology, serum biochemical evaluations, and serologic titers for endemic infectious agents failed to demonstrate any underlying disorder. The ophthalmic hallmark of this syndrome was the appearance of pigment on the anterior lens capsule, often in a radial orientation. This capsular pigment was seen both with and without associated uveal cysts. Although single to multiple iridociliary cysts were noted clinically in only 13.3% of the cases, cysts were common on histopathology of advanced glaucomatous, blind eyes. Fibrin was observed in the anterior chamber of 37% of the cases, and often was a precursor for glaucoma. Cataract formation (37%) and glaucoma (46%) were frequent sequelae to the uveitis. Posterior synechiae formation occurred in 50% of the cases. Histopathologic analysis of four enucleated eyes and the eviscerated specimens from 14 glaucomatous eyes demonstrated thin-walled iridociliary epithelial cysts in 3/4 and 12/14 cases, respectively. Microscopically, little to no uveal inflammatory infiltration was commonly noted. Conclusion The overall prognosis for this progressive uveitis in Golden Retriever dogs is guarded, with 46% of the eyes becoming blind due to glaucoma. Iridociliary cysts in Golden Retriever dogs may lead to the development of glaucoma in this breed.

Incidence of Canine Glaucoma with Goniodysplasia in Japan: A Retrospective Study

“…Some reports suggest a high prevalence of pigmentary uveitis-induced glaucoma in Golden Retrievers [12,24]. However, in our study, the cause of uveitis-induced glaucoma in Golden Retrievers was unclear.…”

Combined iridencleisis and posterior sclerectomy in surgical treatment of glaucoma secondary to uveitis in a dog: a case report

“…Unlike primary glaucoma, it is not a hereditary disease, but its causes may be (Curtis and Barnett, 1980;Gelatt and Brooks, 1999;Johnsen et al, 2006). In contrast to primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma may involve only one eye; therefore, if the primary disease is diagnosed and the treatment is started early enough, the patient may not lose vision (Johnsen et al, 2006).Among the most common causes of secondary glaucoma in dogs are, anterior uveitis (Crispin, 1988;Abrams, 2001;Johnsen et al, 2006), lens displacement (Curtis and Barnett, 1980;Abrams, 2001;Gelatt and Gelatt, 2001;Gelatt and MacKay, 2004;Morris and Dubielzig, 2005;Johnsen et al, 2006), intumescent cataract (phacomorphic glaucoma) (Gelatt and Brooks, 1999;Gelatt and MacKay, 2004), intraocular cysts (Deehr and Dubielzig, 1998;Spiess et al, 1998;Sapienza et al, 2000), hyphema (Nelms et al, 1993;Sansom et al, 1994;Barnett et al, 2002), intraocular neoplasia (Dubielzig, 1990), ocular melanosis (pigmentary glaucoma) (Petersen Jones, 1991;van de Sandt et al, 2003).An accurate estimate of the most common direct cause of secondary glaucoma in dogs is possible with retrospective statistical studies. Therefore, it is obvious that the longer the period under study, the more representative the results will be.…”

“…Among the most common causes of secondary glaucoma in dogs are, anterior uveitis (Crispin, 1988;Abrams, 2001;Johnsen et al, 2006), lens displacement (Curtis and Barnett, 1980;Abrams, 2001;Gelatt and Gelatt, 2001;Gelatt and MacKay, 2004;Morris and Dubielzig, 2005;Johnsen et al, 2006), intumescent cataract (phacomorphic glaucoma) (Gelatt and Brooks, 1999;Gelatt and MacKay, 2004), intraocular cysts (Deehr and Dubielzig, 1998;Spiess et al, 1998;Sapienza et al, 2000), hyphema (Nelms et al, 1993;Sansom et al, 1994;Barnett et al, 2002), intraocular neoplasia (Dubielzig, 1990), ocular melanosis (pigmentary glaucoma) (Petersen Jones, 1991;van de Sandt et al, 2003).…”

Canine Secondary Glaucomas

“…111 Both eyes are typically affected. 112 Although the term "uveitis" is used to describe the condition, the inflammatory changes seen on histopathologic evaluation of affected eyes have been unimpressive compared with the clinical findings. 113 Common clinical signs include uveal cysts, darkened irides with entropion uveae, radial deposition of pigment on the anterior lens capsule and synechiae formation, fibrinous or cobwebby debris in the anterior chamber, hyphema, and cataract formation (Figs.…”