A case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse.

ANIMAL STUDIED

A client-owned 12-year-old Standardbred gelding presenting with chronic conjunctivitis and palpebral masses.

METHODS

Complete ophthalmic examination, surgical excision, histopathology, and bacterial culture of biopsy samples were performed.

RESULTS

Upper and lower eyelids of both eyes were affected, with multiple yellow-to-white nodules on the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. Nodule removal was achieved via partial tarsal plate excision. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammation and large droplets of presumed free lipid in the conjunctival lamina propria. The animal was diagnosed with lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis. No postoperative ocular discomfort was observed for months; however, 3 years later, new conjunctival nodules were noticed, requiring a second surgical procedure on three of the eyelids. Transient entropion in the left lower eyelid was observed 2 months after the second surgery, and no recurrence of conjunctival nodules was observed after 18 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in horses.

Evaluation of partial tarsal plate excision using a transconjunctival approach for the treatment of distichiasis in dogs

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcome, possible complications, and recurrence rate of distichiasis in dogs treated with partial tarsal plate excision (PTPE) technique using a transconjunctival approach.

METHODS

Retrospective study including 17 client-owned canine patients affected with distichiasis and presenting with associated clinical signs (ie, blepharospasm, epiphora, chronic keratoconjunctivitis, or corneal ulceration) that underwent surgical removal of the aberrant lashes using a PTPE technique between January 2018 and February 2019. Data collected included breed, age, sex, affected eyelid(s), number of distichia, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Resected cilia-bearing tarsoconjunctival strips were submitted for histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty eyes (52 eyelids) from 17 dogs were included in the study. The median age was 688 days (range 118-4243 days). A successful outcome, defined as complete resolution of clinical signs attributable to the distichia, occurred in all eyes after a single procedure, with a mean follow-up time of 239 days (range 69-480 days). Appearance of new distichia occurred in 14/30 eyes (46.3%), and of these, three eyes needed a new PTPE procedure. Recurrence of the distichia only occurred in one eye (3.3%) which was asymptomatic. Following surgery, TBUT decreased below the normal value in 7/24 eyes (29.1%) although none developed clinical signs of qualitative tear film deficiency. Post-operative complications included trichiasis and cicatricial entropion, which developed in two eyes (6.6%), and these were successfully managed with corrective eyelid surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial tarsal plate excision, using a transconjunctival approach, had an excellent clinical outcome with a low incidence of complications.

A new perspective in oculoplastic surgical management of symptomatic distichiasis in lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome

Lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant condition associated with FOXC2 mutations. Patients with distichiasis are mostly symptomatic, and efforts to deal with their ocular complaints comprise of electrolysis, cryotherapy and a variety of surgical techniques. We describe an enhanced surgical technique for a case of symptomatic distichiasis of the right eye with scarred, irregular eyelid margins secondary to initial cryotherapy, whereby the distorted tarsus was excised to remove the aberrant hair follicles, the levator palpebrae superioris was released to extend the upper lid and prevent lagophthalmos and a mucous membrane graft was used to cover the exposed portion of the tarsal plate. At 14 months follow up, the lid cosmesis and position remained satisfactory, with no infection or rejection of the mucous membrane graft. Therefore, this surgical technique provides a sound option for symptomatic distichiasis, where cryotherapy can cause lid irregularity and keratinization.