Intracapsular lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation in canines: a report of 12 cases

A total of 24 dogs suffering from cataract were recorded, 20 dogs had bilateral and 4 dogs had unilateral cataracts, thus making a total of 44 cataractous eyes. The cataract development was mainly seen in senile age (15 dogs) followed by hereditary (05), juvenile (02), congenital (01) and diabetic cataract (01). The incidence was highest in non-descript dogs followed by German shepherd, Spitz, Lhasa Apso, Doberman, Labrador and Dachshund, Dalmatian and Cocker Spaniel. The males and females were found to be equally affected. Lens extractions were performed under general anaesthesia on twelve dogs grouped into two groups of 6 animals each. The cataractous lens was removed by intracapsular lens extraction method in group I and extracapsular lens extraction method followed by IOL prosthesis in group II. Haematological and biochemical parameters did not reveal any significant change in both groups. The mean corneal transparency on 60^th day of observation was 75% in both groups. The postoperative complications included hyphaema, persistent corneal opacity and corneal vascularization.