PHACOEMULSIFICATION FOR CATARACT SECONDARY TO PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC TUNICA VASCULOSA LENTIS AND PERISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS IN A WELSH CORGI

A 7-month-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi was presented with rapid cataract formation. Slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed mature cataract in the left eye. Ultrasonography revealed a microphakic lens and the presence of a cord-like structure extending from the posterior lens to the optic disc. On the basis of ophthalmological examinations, a diagnosis of cataract secondary to persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous was made. Routine phacoemulsification with a capsular tension ring and intraocular lens implantation were performed. Although a blood-filled vasculature with focal hemorrhage was observed during surgery, we did not fenestrate the posterior capsule or cut the hyaloid artery. We only polished the posterior capsule carefully for 2 min. At 22 days after surgery, Doppler ultrasonography did not detect blood flow within the cord-like structure, and the implanted intraocular lens appeared clear without fibrin formation or posterior capsule opacification. The findings from this case suggest that routine cataract surgery is an optimal surgical treatment for persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation for persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in a Welsh Corgi.