Uveal Hematocysts in a Golden Retriever Dog

Case Description. A 7-year-old neutered male golden retriever presented for examination 1 month following the observation of multifocal round brown structures in the anterior chamber of the left eye and similar, but blood-filled, structures in the right eye. Clinical Findings. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral iris hyperpigmentation, pigment deposition on the anterior lens capsule, and uveal cysts. The uveal cysts in the right eye were partially blood filled. Clinical findings were consistent with pigmentary uveitis of golden retrievers. Treatment and Outcome. The patient has been maintained on topical anti-inflammatories and no progression of the disease has occurred in eight months. Clinical Relevance. This paper emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique clinical signs of pigmentary uveitis and highlights uveal hematocysts, a rare manifestation of the disease. 1. Case Description A 7-year-old neutered male golden retriever dog presented to the Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center for ophthalmic examination 1 month following identification of multifocal brown structures in the anterior chamber of the left eye and similar, but blood-filled, structures in the right eye. The primary care veterinarian discovered these structures during annual wellness examination. Ophthalmic examination revealed normal palpebral, dazzle, and pupillary light reflexes in both eyes. Vision was considered normal based on positive menace responses and appropriate navigation in the hospital environment. On careful inspection, both eyes had mild conjunctival hyperemia, diffuse iris hyperpigmentation, pigment deposition on the anterior lens capsule, and numerous uveal cysts in the anterior chamber. The uveal cysts in the right eye were blood filled (Figure 1). Focal posterior synechia and an incipient anterior cortical cataract were also present in the right eye. Tonometry, with a TonoVet (Tiolat Oy, Helsinki, Finland), indicated an intraocular pressure of 8？mmHg in both eyes. Schirmer tear test I values were 16 and 15？mm/min in the right and left eyes, respectively. Fluorescein staining was negative in both eyes. Figure 1: Photograph of the right eye with multiple uveal hematocysts. Iris hyperpigmentation, pigment deposits on the anterior lens capsule, medial posterior synechia, and an incipient cataract are also present. Upper and lower distichia are an incidental finding. Dilation of the left pupil occurred within 20 minutes of tropicamide 1% application; however, dilation of the right pupil was limited by the posterior synechia. Indirect