Intraoperative findings and postoperative results associated with cataract surgery performed after retinal reattachment surgery in dogs—36 cases (41 eyes)

Abstract

Objective To report intraoperative findings and complications associated with cataract surgery performed after retinal reattachment surgery (RR) via pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using perfluoro‐n‐octane (PFO), laser retinopexy, and silicone oil tamponade in dogs. Animals Studied Retrospective record review of dogs that underwent post‐RR cataract surgery. Signalment, time between RR and cataract surgery, type of lens extraction, postoperative visual status, and intra‐ and postoperative complications were recorded. Cataract formation or progression after RR was categorized as early (≤12 months) or late (>12 months). Results A total of 36 dogs (41 eyes) were included. Average time between RR and cataract surgery was 665 days (median: 546). Early postoperative incidence of cataracts occurred in 19 eyes (46.3%). Types of lens extraction included phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (86.1%, 31/36 dogs), phacoemulsification alone (11.1%, 4/36 dogs), and intracapsular lens extraction (2.8%, 1/36 dogs). Visual improvement occurred in 95.1% of eyes (39/41) immediately postoperatively. Long term, 93.9% of eyes (31/33) maintained vision at 1 month, 85.2% of eyes (23/27) at 3 months, 77.3% of eyes (17/22) at 6 months, and 60% (12/20) at 12 months postoperatively. The most common postoperative complications were glaucoma (29.3%, 12/41 eyes), corneal ulceration (24.4%, 10/36 eyes), fibrin formation (21.9%, 9/41 eyes), and silicone oil migration into the anterior chamber (19.5%, 8/41 eyes). Conclusion Post‐RR cataract surgery should be considered in dogs with vision loss from cataracts after RR. In most eyes, vision was maintained up to 1 year postoperatively.