Clinical features and outcomes of phacoemulsification in 39 horses: a retrospective study (1993-2003).
OBJECTIVE
To identify visual outcome and postoperative complications following phacoemulsification of equine cataracts.


METHODS
Records of 39 horses (55 eyes) with cataracts were reviewed.


METHODS
Eyes with cataracts removed by phacoemulsification were included in the study. Data collected included age, breed, sex, stage and etiology of cataract, unilateral vs. bilateral involvement, and ultrasound findings. Horses were grouped by etiology of the cataract. Visual outcome and complications were evaluated for each group and the overall population.


RESULTS
Immediately postoperatively 46 out of 47 eyes (98%) were sighted. Four weeks postoperatively 23 of 29 operated eyes (79%) were sighted [13/18 (72%) eyes with congenital/juvenile onset, 6/6 (100%) eyes with traumatic and 4/5 (90%) eyes with uveitis-induced cataracts], with 18 eyes lost to follow-up. The most common postoperative complications included corneal edema (19 eyes/40%), fibrin in the anterior chamber (11 eyes/23%), postoperative ocular hypertension (9 eyes/19%), synechia/dyscoria (9 eyes/19%), and hyphema (7 eyes/15%).


CONCLUSIONS
Prognosis for vision is favorable for horses following phacoemulsification and planned posterior continuous tear circular capsulorrhexis. Success rates depend on age of patient, cause of cataract and pre-existing intraocular disease. The highest success rate occurred in eyes with traumatic cataracts.
Fife
Tina M
TM
Eye Care for Animals, Tustin, CA 92780, USA.
Gemensky-Metzler
Anne J
AJ
Wilkie
David A
DA
Colitz
Carmen M H
CM
Bras
I Dineli
ID
Klages
Deborah C
DC
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome