Lens-Related Ocular Emergencies (LROE) in Dogs: Treatment and Visual Outcome

Background: Lens-related emergencies need immediate medical intervention to reduce complications, minimize pain, and improve chances of retaining vision. The present study aimed to demonstrate the common lens-related ocular emergencies in dogs and evaluate the short-term outcomes after treatment of these cases. Sixty dogs (90 eyes) of different breeds were presented with unilateral (30 eyes, OD = 18, OS = 12) and bilateral (60 eyes) ocular abnormalities related to crystalline lens injury. Clinical, ultrasonographic, and laboratory examinations were achieved. Different treatment protocols were conducted after complete ophthalmic examination and the associated clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results Mean (± SD) age of dogs at initial evaluation was 3.65 (± 2.4) years (range, 1˗12 years). Lens luxation and subluxation were diagnosed in 45 eyes (25 with anterior lens luxation, 15 with subluxation, and 5 with posterior lens luxation). Lens-induced anterior uveitis without glaucoma (n = 25 eyes), uveitic glaucoma (n = 15 eyes), and lens capsule disruption (n = 5 eyes) were also diagnosed. The vision was lost in all 5 eyes with posterior lens luxation (100%), 18/25 eyes with anterior lens luxation (72%), and 5/15 eyes with lens subluxation (33.3%). Vision impairment was also identified in 10/25 eyes (40%) with unresponsive lens-induced anterior uveitis and in 5/5 eyes (100%) with traumatic rupture of the anterior lens capsule. Conclusion Crystalline lens injury can cause a wide variety of ocular emergencies that may result in blindness. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for handling lens-related emergencies in dogs.