Ocular disorders in brachycephalic cats and dogs: A clinical study from Türkiye

Brachycephalic ocular syndrome (BOS) is a complex condition resulting from craniofacial anatomy, predisposing affected animals to various ocular surface diseases. Data describing ocular disorders in both brachycephalic cats and dogs from Türkiye are limited. This case series included 40 brachycephalic animals (30 cats, 10 dogs) presented to the Surgery Clinic of Aksaray University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine between December 2022 and May 2024. All animals underwent ophthalmic examinations, including Schirmer Tear Test-1 (STT-1), tear film break-up time (TFBUT), and fluorescein staining. In dogs, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and corneal ulcer were the most common diagnoses (n = 5 each), whereas bacterial conjunctivitis (n = 19) and corneal ulcer (n = 10) predominated in cats. A moderate negative correlation was identified between age and STT-1 values in dogs (r = -0.636; P = 0.048), and a positive correlation was observed between STT-1 and TFBUT in both species. These findings indicate that BOS-related ocular disorders are prevalent in brachycephalic breeds, and routine ophthalmic screening, including STT-1 and fluorescein testing, may facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.