Surgical management of equine ocular filariasis with special emphasis on complications: a review of 112 cases (1998–2006)

Record of surgical management and post-operative complications of equine ocular filariasis in 112 equines brought to clinic of F.V.Sc and A.H. Jammu, during the period 1998–2006 was reviewed. The operation was performed under general anaesthesia or auriculopalpebral and retro-bulbar blocks, with animal either in lateral recumbency or in standing position. The worms were removed through a stab incision with cataract knife or No. 11 BP blade on the cornea near the limbus at 3, 6, 9 or 12 O'clock position. The worms escaped along with the aqueous humour in all except four cases, in which extra manipulation was required. Most of the cases recovered uneventfully within one to three weeks. Complications, encountered in 6% cases, were failure to extract the worm with single stab, haemorrrhage in the anterior chamber, proplapse of iris, failure of corneal opacity to resolve, posterior synechia and cataract. During six months follow up 25% animals had visible scar on the cornea; however, the eye sight had been restored to satisfactory level. The complications were not attributed to the use of different types of instruments, anaesthetic technique, or the site of incision but to the degree of corneal opacity at the time of surgery. The risk of complications was always higher when the operation was performed in standing position because of sudden movement of the animal.