Background:
Although ocular findings in diabetic patients are well described, prevalence data for those is unknown.
Aim:
To describe the prevalence of ocular findings and their association with glycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus.
Methods:
Medical records from diabetic dogs assessed by the ophthalmology and the internal medicine services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Autonomous University of Barcelona were reviewed (2009-2019).
Results:
Seventy-five dogs (150 eyes) of both genders (51/75 females; 68% and 24/75 males; 32%) and a mean age of 9.37 2.43 years, were included. The most common ocular findings were cataracts (146/150; 97.3%), vitreous degeneration (45/98; 45.9%), anterior uveitis (47/150; 31.3%), aqueous deficiency dry eye (ADDE) (33/150; 22%), diffuse corneal edema (31/150; 20.7%), non-proliferative retinopathy (13/98; 13.3%) and lipid keratopathy (9/150; 6%). The most prevalent type of cataracts observed (78/146; 53.4%) was intumescent, which was commonly accompanied by non-proliferative retinopathy (P = 0.003). Among the diabetic dogs, blood glucose levels were statistically higher in dogs with non-proliferative retinopathy or anterior uveitis (P < 0.005).
Conclusions:
Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus in dogs are numerous, being the most frequent intumescent cataracts, vitreous degeneration, anterior uveitis, ADDE, diffuse corneal edema and non-proliferative retinopathy. This high prevalence warrants a more detailed ophthalmic evaluation in diabetic dogs specially for those undergoing cataract surgery. Furthermore, a predisposition for anterior segment inflammation and non-proliferative retinopathy is suggested when fasting plasma glucose is higher than 600 mg/dl.
Key words: Cataracts, Glucose, Intumescent, Phacoemulsification, Retinopathy
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