Bilateral phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a pet rabbit with cataracts

The occurrence of cataracts in rabbits is a common reason for consultation in veterinary ophthalmology.

A 6-year-old female Lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was referred with a 3-month history of bilateral cataracts. The owner noted that the rabbit was frequently bumping into obstacles. Physical examination was unremarkable. Routine hemogram and biochemistry panel were within usual values, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were not detected by serology. A complete ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral hypermature cataracts causing total blindness. Bilateral tonometry showed normal intraocular pressures. Electroretinography (ERG) under general anesthesia revealed strong photoreceptor responses for each eye, and ocular ultrasound was normal except for bilateral hypermature cataracts. Following ERG, during the same anesthesia session, conventional phacoemulsification followed by acrylic intraocular lens (IOL; +58D) implantation was performed uneventfully in both eyes. Follow-up examinations were carried out for 1 year. Except for immediate post-operative bilateral corneal ulcers that were quickly cured with medical treatment, no other post-operative complications were observed. The 1-year follow-up examination revealed centered IOLs without posterior capsular opacity, enabling the observation of normal fundus in both eyes. The owner confirmed the rabbit had normal autonomy and moved with accuracy, as observed during follow-up visits and on videos provided by the owner.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case of successful bilateral phacoemulsification and bilateral intraocular lens implantation with prior electroretinographic evaluation of the retinal function in a pet rabbit with cataracts.