title: Descemet's membrane detachment in horses; case series and literature review.
abstract: The aim of this article was to describe Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following phacoemulsification in five equine eyes and to review the human literature on this topic. In the last decade, there has been increased reporting of DMD in the human literature, in particular following cataract surgery. The natural history of DMD remains unknown and although various medical and surgical treatments have been advocated there is no recognized 'gold standard' treatment for DMD. This case series reports the diagnosis of DMD in four horses (5 eyes) in association with phacoemulsification surgery. The diagnosis of DMD in these patients was made intra-operatively, postoperatively or on subsequent histopathological examination. The surgical reports, photographic or video recordings, and ultrasound data were evaluated and possible factors associated with the pathophysiology of DMD are discussed. This is the first description of DMD in the veterinary literature, and the authors believe that DMD might hitherto have been overlooked in veterinary ophthalmology due to a lack of awareness of the condition. The possible causes, clinical signs, and treatment of DMD as described in the human literature are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Service, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane North Mymms, AL97TA London, UK.
authors.forename: Màrian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matas Riera
authors.affiliation: Unit of Comparative Ophthalmology, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Newmarket CB87UU, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL97TA London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon Lawrence
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Priestnall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000662:veterinary; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: cataract surgery; corneal edema; descemet's membrane detachment; descemetopexy; phacoemulsification; surgical complication