title: Retrospective evaluation of phacoemulsification and aspiration in 41 horses (46 eyes): visual outcomes vs. age, intraocular lens, and uveitis status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of age at the time of surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) placement, and presence of chronic uveitis on visual outcome after phacoemulsification and aspiration (PA) of cataracts in horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 41 horses (46 eyes) receiving unilateral or bilateral PA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of horses receiving unilateral or bilateral PA at the NCSU-VTH (35 horses, 39 eyes) and in Northern Italy (six horses, seven eyes) was performed. Visual status at last follow-up was compared to age at the time of surgery, IOL status, and presence of chronic uveitis preoperatively. Seven horses with chronic uveitis also underwent placement of a suprachoroidal cyclosporine implant. Clinical ophthalmic examinations and owner questionnaires were used to evaluate visual status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one of 46 eyes (46%) received an IOL and 12 of 46 eyes (26%) had chronic uveitis. Overall, 25 of 46 eyes (54%) were visual at last follow-up (mean 35.1 ± 34.8 months). Age (mean 8.6 ± 7.7 years) was not significantly associated with visual outcome. Fourteen of 21 (67%) pseudophakic eyes and 11 of 25 (44%) aphakic eyes were visual at last follow-up (P = 0.342). Eyes with preoperative chronic uveitis were significantly less likely to be visual (3 of 12 eyes [25%]) than horses without preoperative chronic uveitis (22 of 34 eyes [65%]) (P = 0.023).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horses with chronic uveitis had significantly less favorable visual outcome after PA. Older age at surgery and IOL use were not associated with poor visual outcome.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Hospital for Animals, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Michele L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Edelmann
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McMullen
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stoppini
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clode
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Gilger
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: cataracts; chronic uveitis; equine; intraocular lens; phacoemulsification; prognosis