Optic nerve colobomas associated with unilateral focal serous retinal detachment in a dog – In‐vivo imaging and outcome following laser retinopexy

• Published in: Veterinary ophthalmology 2021-11, Vol.24 (6), p.645-652
• Main Authors: Dufour, Valerie L., Cohen, Julie A., Holle, Dolores M., Aguirre, Gustavo D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Coloboma - surgery; Coloboma - veterinary; diode laser retinopexy; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dogs; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Lasers; Optic Nerve - abnormalities; Optic Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Optic Nerve - surgery; optic nerve head coloboma; optic nerve head pit; retinal detachment; Retinal Detachment - surgery; Retinal Detachment - veterinary; spectral domain optical coherence tomography; Tomography, Optical Coherence - veterinary
• ISSN: 1463-5216; 1463-5224
• DOI: 10.1111/vop.12948

Purpose To describe the ophthalmoscopic, in‐vivo imaging, fluorescein angiography, and therapeutic photocoagulation outcome in a case of bilateral optic nerve colobomas associated with focal unilateral retinal detachment in a dog. Methods Pretraining eye examination of a 1.6‐year‐old female German shepherd service dog showed a focal juxta‐papillary bullous retinal separation in the right eye. In vivo imaging and angiography were performed under general anesthesia using optical coherence tomography. Nonoverlapping diode laser burns were applied through an operating microscope adapter to selected areas along the leading margins of the detachment. Results The funduscopic examination and in‐vivo imaging revealed bilateral optic nerve colobomas associated with a focal bullous detachment in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography showed absence of blood vessel leakage and absence of staining inside of the retinal elevation. Photocoagulation induced immediate changes in retinal layer reflectivity. Three months post‐photocoagulation, the retinal detachment had improved and scarring of the burns was visible. One and two years post‐procedure, the retinal detachment resolved. Conclusions Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging provides a detailed analysis of the retinal abnormalities associated with the clinical lesion. Laser retinopexy is a valid therapeutic option to limit the extension of the detachment.