The vitreous is a jelly-like material located behind the lens in the eye. It has several responsibilities. First, it helps keep the retina in position. Second, by being a jelly, it reduces torque applied to the retina when an individual shakes their head.
Vitreous degeneration may be one of several conditions: It may refer to liquification of the vitreous which occurs following some types of inflammation. This occurs commonly in horses, dogs and cats following episodes of uveitis. Alternativly, it can occur in certain breeds of dogs as a primary condition. These breeds include the Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon, Chihuahua, Havanese, Italian greyhound, Lowchen, Papillon, Whippet and is seen occasionally in the Labrador retriever.
Vitreous degeneration may be significant because it has been suggested that it may predispose patients to retinal detachment. Veterinary ophthalmologists are not certain about this, but from work that has been presented, it seems likely that vitreous degeneration is noticed in Shih Tzu dogs prior to retinal detachment. For this reason, patients found to have vitreous degeneration should be monitored for possible retinal detachment by the use of ultrasonography and careful examination of the retina at regular intervals.
Your pet may be diagnosed with vitreous degeneration during a routine ophthalmic examination or a breeding examination (C.E.R.F. examination). It is unlikely that a general veterinarian will find vitreous degeneration during an annual examination. If you have a pet which is in the breeds listed above, it is suggested that you have an ophthalmic examination or CERF examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist at some point in the future. Pets who develop retinal detachment in one eye should certainly have an ophthalmic examination.
There are several viewpoints concerning what should be done. If your pet has not experienced retinal detachment, then regular examinations should be performed. If your pet has had retinal detachment, the Dr. Hacker feels that prophylactic lasering of the periphery of the retina should help prevent retinal detachment in the second eye.
Have any questions on this subject? Contact
Dennis Hacker via E-mail:
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