Retina assessment by optical coherence tomography of diabetic dogs

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders characterized by relative or absolute lack of insulin; this can lead to several ocular manifestations, among them diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microangiopathy that involves retinal precapillary arterioles, postcapillary venules, and large vessels, causing them to be functionally and anatomically incompetent. Hyperglycemia seems to be the most probable cause of damage to the retina due to interference in cellular metabolism and transduction processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate retinal thickness in eight diabetic dogs, four females and four males of different breeds and ages ranging from 6 to 15 years, by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to compare them with non-diabetic dogs. Assessment provided by OCT in diabetic dogs showed retinal layers thinning and loss of stratification when compared to non-diabetic dogs (198μm versus 219μm respectively), with statistical significance (p=0.008). OCT images may suggest that diabetes mellitus causes retinal neuropathy in dogs, as also seen in diabetic humans.

Prevalence of ocular findings and their association with glycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A 10-year clinical study (2009-2019)

“…This prevalence markedly differs from reports in human medicine, in which the prevalence is much higher ( Herring et al , 2014 ). Conversely to the proliferative changes seen commonly in humans ( Manaviat et al , 2008 ), canine diabetic retinopathy is characterized by microvascular changes including capillary microaneurysms and hemorrhages ( Braga-Sá et al , 2018 ). The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has been hypothesized to be the same as for cataract formation ( Muñana, 1995 ).…”

Uso De Imagens Para Diagnóstico De Afecções Oculares – Revisão De Literatura

“…Safatle et al (28) realizaram um estudo para comparar os resultados da OCT de animais sadios e animais sabidamente com retinopatias, concluindo que o exame é efetivo no diagnóstico de descolamento de retina e atrofia progressiva de retina. O exame também é indicado na avaliação retiniana de paciente diabéticos, os quais tendem a perder a estratificação da retina, assim como ocorre nos humanos com neuropatia retiniana (30).…”