Success Rate and Postoperative Complications of Phacoemulsification in 25 Cataractous Eyes : a Retrospective Study in 20 Dogs (2003-2005)

Abstract

Phacoemulsification was performed on 25 eyes of 20 dogs (7 females and 13 males) with a mean patient age ± SD at the time of surgery of 8.12 ± 2.76 years (range 4-14.5 years). The medical records were reviewed for surgical outcome and postoperative complications. Success rate was calculated by determining the number of successful eyes divided by the total number of the eyes in the studied group. The results showed that restoration of
functional vision was noted in 24/25 eyes at the end of the study. The success rate of this study was 96%. The most frequently observed complication during early postoperative period was uveitis, noted in 20/25 (80%) eyes. Other postoperative complications encountered include posterior capsular opacification in 10/25 (40%) eyes, postoperative ocular hypertension in 4/25 (16%) eyes, anterior or posterior synechiae in 3/25 (12%) eyes, corneal edema in 2/25 (8%) eyes, glaucoma in 1/25 (4%) eye, posterior capsule tear in 1/25 (4%) eye, and corneal ulcer in 1/25 (4%) eye. In conclusion, success rate is high for dogs following phacoemulsification and the significant postoperative complications are uveitis and posterior capsular opacification.