Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease

Diabetes Mellitus is most commonly manifested as fast developing cataracts. This type of cataract is the result of increased glucose in the aqueous humor. The cataract often has a prominent Y suture line on the anterior portion of the lens, making it the “Yes” for diabetes. Blood glucose is recommended for diagnosis. In fact 85% of all diabetic dogs will develop cataracts within 18 months of diagnosis. New medications are being developed for prevention of cataract formation and are still in the trial phase. Right now the only treatment is surgical removal. Hypothyroidism can cause KCS development in 20% of dogs. In addition, lipid deposits can develop in the cornea. Most commonly these lipid deposits occur at the periphery of the cornea, near the limbus. Therefore testing for hypothyroidism should be performed if there are other concurrent symptoms. Treatment of the hypothyroidism can help reverse these deposits. Cushing’s disease has been associated with KCS, non-healing corneal ulceration, corneal calcification, cataract development, lipid aqueous, and lesions associated with hypertension. In senile dogs, a syndrome of corneal calcification with exfoliation of calcium leading to progressive ulceration is seen most commonly in dogs with Cushing’s disease. Treating the Cushing’s disease can speed corneal healing.