Multiple ciliary body cysts and secondary glaucoma in the Great Dane: a report of nine cases

Abstract

Between 1989 and 1995 nine Great Danes were presented to the small animal clinic of the University of Zurich Teaching Hospital with glaucoma and multiple cysts in the anterior and posterior chamber. In four of the nine dogs cysts were present in both eyes; however, bilateral glaucoma was seen in one case only. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at initial presentation was 42 mmHg measured by applanation tonometry. With the exception of one dog, all animals were treated medically for a minimum of 13 days. Two animals were subsequently lost to follow up. Two dogs underwent evisceration with implantation of a silicone prosthesis. The glaucomatous globe was enucleated in three dogs. One owner declined surgery and the dog remained buphthalmic with a poorly controlled IOP. One animal remained visual after trans-scleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. Histopathology of the three enucleated globes showed multiple cysts originating from the ciliary body epithelium. The mechanism of IOP elevation is probably by anterior displacement of the iris with narrowing of the angle and collapse of the ciliary cleft. A delicate pre-iridal fibrovascular membrane was also seen in each case, which could have also contributed to the elevation of IOP. The high odds ratio of 2.23 (CI 95% 1.14, 3.99) for glaucoma and 37.01 (CI 95% 16.42, 77.81) for ciliary body cysts suggests they are both inherited in this breed. Pedigree analysis of the affected dogs failed to definitely reveal the mode of inheritance.

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

“…Comparable cyst-related syndromes have been described in great Danes and American bulldogs; treatment and prognosis are similar. 115,116 Anterior chamber shallowing and mild IOP increases have been seen in cats with uveal cysts, and cystrelated glaucoma is also reported in humans. [117][118][119][120] Uveal cysts in dogs have typically been treated as benign findings and in many individuals they are not cause for concern.…”

The use of lasers in veterinary ophthalmology: Recommendations based on literature

“…While there have been no adverse effects reported with this treatment modality, the cyst wall will remain within the anterior chamber and often collapses against the corneal endothelium [54,55] . It may not be possible to defl ate poorly pigmented uveal cysts with a semiconductor laser [56] . Iris cysts can also be easily removed from the anterior chamber by aspiration with a small gauge needle [57] .…”