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Objective: To investigate ocular factors that influence the development of corneal calcareous degeneration (CCD) in dogs. Animals and Procedures: The medical records of 96 eyes of dogs with CCD and 288 eyes without CCD were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs with evidence of causative systemic illness associated with CCD were excluded from the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the ocular factors associated with the development of CCD. To identify the effect of phosphate‐containing eyedrops on CCD, the application periods of phosphate‐containing antiglaucoma eyedrops were compared between the glaucomatous eyes in the CCD and non‐CCD groups. Results: Increased age, brachycephalic breed, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, advanced cataract, history of phacoemulsification, and topical corticosteroid application were significantly associated with CCD development. Glaucoma was significantly overrepresented in the non‐CCD group, and the application period of phosphate‐containing antiglaucoma eyedrops was significantly longer in eyes with CCD than in those without CCD. Conclusions: Ophthalmic diseases requiring long‐term management of ocular inflammation and long‐term application of phosphate‐containing eyedrops may contribute to the development of CCD. Glaucoma is overrepresented in dogs without CCD, which is thought to be due to the differences in predisposed age and breeds between dogs with glaucoma and CCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to establish the feasibility of corneal transplantation using the big-bubble technique (BBT) to perform deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in three dogs. After the cornea was trephined 750 µm, 4 mL of air was injected, and the blanched stroma was removed to expose Descemet's membrane (DM). The donor corneal button, which was gently stripped off the DM, was sutured onto the bare DM of the recipient cornea. The dogs received topical antibiotics every 6 h for 7 days and 2% cyclosporine ointment every 12 h for 1 month. The eyes were examined post-operatively at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 150 days. The central portion of the transplanted cornea stayed transparent while corneal haze developed around the transplanted margin. Menace response was normal even though the transplanted cornea was edematous until 3 weeks after surgery. A marginal haze was rarely observed between the donor and recipient corneas at 150 days after the operation. A spotted haze developed in the central part of the deep stroma near the DM. Upon histopathological examination, the stroma and epithelium of the donor cornea had normal structures. Corneal transplantation using DALK with BBT can be performed in dogs preserving the healthy endothelium.

To standardize the corneal haze model in the resection depth and size for efficient corneal haze development, air assisted lamellar keratectomy was performed. The ex vivo porcine corneas were categorized into four groups depending on the trephined depth: 250 µm (G1), 375 µm (G2), 500 µm(G3) and 750 µm (G4). The stroma was equally ablated at the five measurement sites in all groups. Significant differences were observed between the trephined corneal depths for resection and ablated corneal thickness in G1 (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the trephined corneal depth for resection and the ablated corneal thickness in G2, G3, and G4. The resection percentage was similar in all groups after microscopic imaging of corneal sections. Air assisted lamellar keratectomy (AK) and conventional keratectomy (CK) method were applied to six beagles, after which development of corneal haze was evaluated weekly until postoperative day 28. The occurrence of corneal haze in the AK group was significantly higher than that in the CK group beginning 14 days after surgery. Alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly higher in the AK group (p < 0.001) than the CK group. Air assisted lamellar keratectomy was used to achieve the desired corneal thickness after resection and produce sufficient corneal haze.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on the ratio of pulp cavity/tooth width (P/T ratio) in healthy cats. The dental radiographs of 32 cats (16 males and 16 females) were generated with a digital dental X-ray unit with the animals under general anesthesia. Standardized measurement of the canine teeth was performed by drawing a line on the radiograph perpendicular to the cemento- enamel junction (CEJ) of the tooth. There was an inversely proportional correlation between chronological age and the P/T ratio. Moreover, a strong Pearson squared correlation (γ(2) = 0.92) was identified by the curved regression model. No significant differences in the P/T ratio based on gender or breed were found. These results suggest that determination of age by P/T ratio could be clinically useful for estimating the chronological age of cats.

Objective: To describe the hyperproliferation of Elschnig pearl‐type posterior capsule opacification and concurrent uveitis in two canine eyes after phacoemulsification, followed by spontaneous resolution of the Elschnig pearls. Animal Studied: A 10‐year‐old castrated male Spitz (Case 1) and a 4‐year‐old spayed female Bichon Frise (Case 2). Procedure: Elschnig pearls proliferating beyond the anterior capsulotomy site were observed in the right eye 10 months after bilateral diabetic cataract surgery (Case 1) and 7 months after unilateral cataract surgery (Case 2). In both cases, hyperproliferation occurred where the anterior capsule did not overlap with the intraocular lens (IOL), and was accompanied by aqueous flare. In Case 1, the pearls extended from the anterior capsule and adhered to the iris, causing focal posterior synechia. No other possible causes of uveitis were apparent. Results: Initially, uveitis severity improved after the administration of topical and systemic anti‐inflammatory drugs. However, uveitis recurred when the dosage of anti‐inflammatory treatment was reduced. The Elschnig pearls underwent morphological changes throughout the follow‐up period. In both cases, the pearls beyond the anterior capsulotomy resolved spontaneously after 5 months. Only a few pearls remained between the IOL and posterior capsule, and no recurrence of pearl proliferation was observed at the last follow‐up. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous Elschnig pearl regression in dogs. Lens‐induced uveitis (LIU) may have been caused by anterior chamber hyperproliferative pearls. LIU associated with hyperproliferative pearls may be managed with appropriate anti‐inflammatory treatment and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate alterations in epithelial thickness during corneal degeneration, corneal pigmentation, and additional features observed through spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) in brachycephalic dogs. Animals and Procedures: The study used 55 eyes from 49 brachycephalic dogs that underwent OCT‐containing ophthalmic examinations. The examined eyes were classified into corneal degeneration, corneal pigmentation, and normal groups according to corneal lesions. For each eye, corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in the central cornea and maximum limbal epithelial thickness (maxLET) in 4 quadrants of limbus (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were measured from OCT images. Additional abnormal findings on OCT images, including irregular epithelium, subepithelial hyperreflectivity, and conjunctivochalasis, were also recorded. Results: The corneal degeneration group had significantly thinner nasal and temporal maxLETs than that of the normal group (p <.001). In the central corneal OCT image of the corneal degeneration group, an irregular epithelium was observed in 70.6% and subepithelial hyperreflectivity in 82.4%, both of which were significantly higher than the normal group (p <.001). In a comparative analysis, the nasal, temporal, and inferior maxLETs were significantly thinner in the corneal pigmentation group than those in the normal group (p <.001, p <.001, and p =.01, respectively). Conclusions: Morphological changes in the limbal epithelium were observed in dogs with corneal degeneration and corneal pigmentation. LET reduction could be associated with their pathogenesis and would be valuable as an additional parameter for corneal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10‐year‐old spayed female Maltese dog was presented for hypotony of the right eye (OD) with decreased vision. The dorsomedial region of conjunctiva was partially swollen but the globe remained intact. Slit‐lamp biomicroscopy revealed intraocular haemorrhage, uveitis, and a limbal, corneoconjunctival ulcer near the swollen conjunctiva. During ocular ultrasonography (OUS), the sclera became indented and hypotony occurred, implicating a full‐thickness scleral wound. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) confirmed a full‐thickness scleral defect, which was surgically apposed. The intraocular pressure normalised and the uveitis subsided post‐operatively. OUS and UBM were helpful in suggesting and definitively diagnosing scleral perforation, leading to accurate treatment and good prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present the clinical signs and treatment methods for atypical tumor‐like meibomitis in two dogs. Animals Studied: A 4‐year‐old castrated‐male Coton de Tulear (Case 1) and a 6‐year‐old spayed‐female Maltese dog (Case 2). Procedure: Full ophthalmic examination revealed a well‐circumscribed, firm, and raised solitary mass on the upper eyelid of the left (Case 1) and right eye (Case 2). Case 1 showed a recurrent mass with a diameter of 2–3 mm, which was excised by the referring veterinarian. The possibility of meibomian gland involvement was suggested histopathologically. Case 2 had a history of blepharitis treated with systemic corticosteroids 4 years ago. Results: Topical and systemic antibiotics and anti‐inflammatory drugs were administered to reduce inflammation and prevent secondary infections. In Case 1, the mass appeared static at the beginning of medication; however, after stopping antibiotics while tapering steroids, the mass increased in size and was associated with suppurative discharge. In Case 2, the mass continued to grow despite treatment, showing a similar infection pattern. Cytological examination revealed neutrophilic inflammation with cocci infection, and bacterial culture confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in both cases. When steroid administration was stopped and antibiotic administration was initiated according to the results of the antibiotic susceptibility test, the mass rapidly decreased in size and completely disappeared. There was no recurrence on follow‐up. Conclusions: A unilateral antibiotic‐responsive tumor‐like solitary mass on the upper eyelid resolved without surgical treatment. Medical treatment must be considered when treating atypical eyelid masses, and the use of appropriate antibiotics through antibiotic susceptibility testing is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the variance in corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and limbal epithelial thickness (LET) according to the age and skull type by using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) in normal dogs. Animals and procedures: This study used an eye each from 46 dogs (24 brachycephalic and 22 non‐brachycephalic dogs) assessed to have clear corneas. Each dog was classified according to age into groups 1 (0–5 years), 2 (6–10 years), and 3 (>11 years). OCT imaging was performed on the central cornea for CET and perpendicular to the quadrant of the limbus for LET. The average of the maximum LET (maxLET) value was measured in four eye quadrants. Results: Corneal epithelial thickness was not significantly different according to age in brachycephalic and non‐brachycephalic dogs. Visualization of the limbal invagination was better when the maxLET was thick. Nasal and temporal maxLETs were significantly thicker than superior and inferior maxLETs in non‐brachycephalic dogs. In brachycephalic dogs, there was a significant decrease in nasal maxLET with age (rs = −0.489, p =.015). Significant differences between brachycephalic and non‐brachycephalic dogs were observed in nasal maxLET (p =.024) and temporal maxLET (p =.011). Conclusions: Invagination was better visualized in the nasal and temporal limbal quadrants of non‐brachycephalic dogs compared with brachycephalic dogs, and the maxLETs of the regions were thicker than those of the brachycephalic dogs. CET and LET measurements using SD‐OCT can help in clinical assessment and research on ocular surface diseases in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]