Advances in the treatment of lens luxation have also been more routinely offered over the past few years. In particular the use of “key hole” surgery to remove subluxated and luxated lenses is becoming our preferred approach and the use of prosthetic lens implants following lens removal is also now offered routinely.
The ability to replace the abnormal lens with a prosthetic intra-ocular lens (left top; sutured IOL, left bottom; suture IOL in place following lens removal) offers these patients an alternative to the visual disability seen following lens removal without prosthetic lens implantation. The combination of prosthetic lens implantation and endoscopic laser glaucoma surgery may prove to offer a much better long term prognosis for these patients.
We saw many more cases of Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) last year than we previously have. Cases have been more severe and more difficult to control. This has coincided with the availability of a new technique for the long term medication of this frustrating condition. We have now successfully implanted a number of intra-ocular devices designed to deliver Cyclosporin for 3-5 years. Cyclosporin, whilst being very effective in control of chronic uveitis does not penetrate the cornea and for this reason has until now been ineffective in the management of ERU. Referrals are accepted for all species, reduced referral fees are offered for small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters etc.).
One challenging exotic patient we met this year was “B**tard” the Buzzard. Presenting with sudden onset blindness this young Buzzard was found to have a detached retina in her left eye and an advanced cataract in her left eye. With the assistance of Chris from the exotic referral department and following electrical testing of her retinal function B**tard underwent successful cataract removal and prosthetic lens implantation. Equine, camelid and other large animal referrals are welcomed.
The equine vision centre is based at our Wotton under Edge clinic where full anaesthesia and hospitalisation facilitates are available. Equine patients can be seen by arrangement at several equine hospitals in the South West and South Wales. Intra-ocular surgery (including cataract surgery), advanced corneal surgical techniques, laser treatment of glaucoma, slow release drug implantation for recurrent uveitis and ocular prosthetic surgery are all offered at the Equine eye clinic. A large animal ophthalmology CPD day is planned for the last Friday in Feb watch the web site for details. Visiting eye clinics are currently held at: Brookfield Veterinary Hospital (Hereford), Bristol University Vet School (Langford), Axe Valley Veterinary Practice (Blackford, Wedmore, Somerset) and Isca Veterinary Surgery (Exeter).
