Results of Trans-Corneal Reduction of Anterior Lens Luxation in 38 Dogs, 41 Eyes: Retrospective Study (2020-2023)

To evaluate the success rate and outcome of trans-corneal reduction (TCR) in dogs presenting with anterior lens luxation (ALL).

Medical records from dogs with ALL that underwent TCR were reviewed from 2020 to 2023. Eyes were classified as visual or potentially functional (PF) if menace response, dazzle, or indirect-PLR were positive. TCR was classified as successful if the replacement of the lens posterior to the iris was achieved.

Forty-one eyes (38 dogs) with a median age of 12 (range 5-16) years were included. The median follow-up was 116 (range 9-720) days. TCR was successful in 28/41 eyes (68.2%). ALL recurred in 10/28 eyes (35.7%) within 2-120 days. Among the 28 eyes, 16/28 (57%) were visual after TCR, 2/16 (12.5%) retained vision for less than 7 days, and 14/16 (87.5%) were visual for a median time of 100 (range 7-300) days. Eyes classified as non-visual prior and after TCR were 12/28 (42.9%). The main cause of vision loss was glaucoma in all eyes except one with retinal detachment.

This study identifies a TCR success rate of 68% and a 35% incidence of recurrence. The median duration of vision was 100 days after the TCR. Since all visual/PF eyes lost vision after TCR, patient selection may best be limited to those where anesthesia is contraindicated, the caregivers have economic limitations, or the eye is already blind. Glaucoma was the main cause for vision loss. Future efforts are needed to identify which patients would benefit from TCR versus intraocular surgery.