Introduction
- Primary luxation occurs in the absence of other ocular disease and results from degeneration of the zonule.
- Cause : inherited in several breeds.
- Secondary luxation occurs as a result of other ocular disease, eg glaucoma, where stretching of the scleral tunics results in rupture of the zonule.
- Signs : corneal opacity, glaucomatous eye.
- Diagnosis : clinical examination.
- Treatment : treated as emergency because can increase intra-ocular pressure and result in irreversible vision loss.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Glaucoma.
- Aphakic crescent if lens is subluxated.
- Iridodonesis - iris 'wobble' with eye movements because lens no longer supports iris.
- Vitreal material in anterior chamber.
- Deep anterior chamber if posterior luxation.
- Lens visible in anterior chamber.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Uveitis
. - Glaucoma .
- Ulcer .
- Endothelial dystrophy.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Good prognosis for saving vision following lendectomy in early cases of primary disease in dogs.
- Fair chance glaucoma will develop before or lens luxation following lendectomy.
- Monitor IOP, pain, condition of other eye.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Retinal detachment.
- Glaucoma.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Curtis R (1990) Primary lens luxation in the dog and cat. Vet Clin North Am 20 (3), 755-773.
- Curtis R (1983) The mechanics of lens dislocation in the dog. Vet Ann 23 , 191-195.
- Gwin R M (1982) Primary lens luxation in the dog associated with lenticular zonule degeneration and its relationship to glaucoma. JAAHA 18 , 485-489.
Other sources of information
- Gelatt K N (1999) Veterinary Ophthamology. 3rd edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
