Iran J Vet Surg, Print ISSN: 2008-3033, Online ISSN: 2676-6299

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

2 Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract

Anophthalmia refers to the most severe ocular congenital malformation that results from inadequate development of the primitive forebrain and is always associated with blindness. The exact etiology of anophthalmia is not well understood; however, heritable and environmental factors may be involved. A 2-month-old Asian Shepherd puppy was presented with the absence of one eye. The puppy was alert, responsive, and had a good body score. The eyelids with eyelashes and palpebral conjunctiva were bilaterally present. However, in the right eye, the palpebral fissure was narrow, and the orbit was shallow without a distinct globe. Further inspection revealed no ocular structures, although the left eye was ophthalmoscopically quite normal. Also, there were no cytologic characteristics of conjunctivitis in either eye. Using the transpalpebral ultrasonography technique, a semi-oval anechoic area without any obvious ocular chambers or structures was observed in the right eye, and finally, unilateral clinical anophthalmia was diagnosed. General physical examination revealed no other malformation. The long-term prognosis is favorable for this pup. However, surgical strategies (e.g., implants and expanders) can be used to improve cosmetic appearance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Vali R, Razeghi M. Comparison of transcorneal and transpalpebral ultrasonographic measurements of the eye in Iranian mix breed dog. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery. 2019; 14(2): 91-96.
  2. Verma A, FitzPatrick D. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2007; 2: 47.
  3. Rodrigues N, Nilo Landi U, Maria Quessada A, Matos Freitas M, de Carvalho Pereira C, da Cruz Silva J, Barbosa Dantas S, Tezei Maia L. Bilateral anophthalmia in dog associated with congenital penile malformation. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae. 2022; 50(1): 774.
  4. Bardakjian T, Schneider A. The genetics of anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2011; 22(5): 309-313.
  5. Dell M. Severe bilateral microphthalmos in a Pomeranian pup. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2010; 51: 1405–1407.
  6. Ragge NK, Subak-Sharpe ID, Collin JRO. A practical guide to the management of anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Eye. 2007; 21(10): 1290-1300.
  7. Sandhu H, Singh Mahal J, Singh A, Singh S, Singh D. Bilateral anophthalmia and asymmetry of face and head in canine fetus. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies. 2020; 8(3): 369-371.
  8. Busby A, Dolk H, Collin R, Jones B, Winter R. Compiling a national register of babies born with anophthalmia/microphthalmia in England 1988–94. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal & Neonatal Edition. 1998; 79(3): 168-173.
  9. Chassaing N, Causse A, Vigouroux A, Delahaye A, Alessandri JL, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Boute Benejean O, Dollfus H, Duban-Bedu B, Gilbert-Dussardier B, Giuliano F, Gonzales M, Holder Espinasse M, Isidor B, Jacquemont ML, Lacombe D, Martin-Coignard D, Mathieu-Dramard M, Odent S, Picone O, Pinson L, Quelin C, Sigaudy S, Toutain A, Thauvin-Robinet C, Kaplan J, Calvas P. Molecular findings and clinical data in a cohort of 150 patients with anophthalmia/microphthalmia. Clinical Genetics. 2014; 86: 326-334.
  10. Weber K, Yang W, Carmichael S, Lupo P, Dukhovny S, Yazdy M, Lin A, Van Bennekom C, Mitchell A, Shaw G. An application of data mining to identify potential risk factors for anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2018; 32(6): 545-555.
  11. Saraiva I, Delgado E. Congenital ocular malformations in dogs and cats: 123 cases. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2020; 23(6): 964-978