A Clinical Study on the Surgical Management of Third Eyelid Gland Prolapse in Dogs

Abstract

Background: The current study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy of two different surgical methods for management of third eyelid gland prolapse in dogs. Methods: The study was conducted on 14 eyes of 11 dogs presented with third eyelid gland prolapse for surgical treatment. Two groups dogs were subjected to clinical and ophthalmic examination based on the surgical technique used i.e., Group I (n=8) in which modified Morgan’s pocket technique, Group II (n=6) in which modified orbital rim anchorage technique was used. Among the breeds brachycephalic dogs (54.54%, n=6) followed by mesocephalic dogs (45.45%, n=5). The modified Morgan’s pocket technique was adopted in 8 eyes of 7 dogs (1 bilateral, 6 unilateral) and the modified orbital rim anchorage technique was performed in 6 eyes of 4 dogs (2 bilateral, 2 unilateral). In Group I, the mean pre-operative Schirmer tear test value was 16.87±0.72 mm/min and in Group II, it was 17.33±0.67 mm/min, both values increased on 30th Post-operative day. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (p greater than 0.05), but there were significant differences within each group (p less than 0.05). The fluorescein dye test was repeated on 1st,7th,14th, 30th days post-operatively and found positive in the left eye of one dog with the reduced bilateral cherry eye on 7th post-operative day in group I. Third eyelid mobility was normal post-operatively in all the cases of group I. Whereas in group II, it is restricted in all the cases. Three cases regained normal contour by the 10th post-operative day whereas 5 cases by the 14th postoperative day in group I. In group II, 3 cases regained normal contour by 12th post-operative day and 3 cases regained by 14th post-operative day. One case in the group I tested positive for superficial corneal ulcer on the 7th post-operative day. One dog in group I had a recurrence after 45 days of repositioning. One dog in group II with reduced bilateral cherry eye had a recurrence in the left eye 30 days after surgery. Result: Present study, Modified Morgan’s pocket technique was considered superior over the modified orbital rim anchorage technique in view of technical feasibility and unrestricted third eyelid mobility.