UC Davis performs its first retinopexy

Jerry and Arlet Nordeen recently noticed that Tashi, their 7-year-old Shih-Tzu, was looking around aimless, and started to think something was wrong with her. Tashi then progressed to bumping into furniture and hesitating to jump, so the Nordeens brought her to a veterinary ophthalmologist, where she was diagnosed with detached retinas in both eyes, causing vision loss.

Tashi, a 7-year-old Shih-Tzu, was one of the first dogs at UC Davis to receive a retinal reattachment surgery (Image courtesy of UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine)

Tashi was referred to a specialist in Southern California who at the time was the only ophthalmologist in California, to perform a retinopexy, or retinal reattachment surgery. However, wanting to see if there were any options closer to home, Sonia Hallera, Arlet’s sister, suggested they look into UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine.

After reaching out to UC Davis, the family discovered that the school recently purchased a new microscope, allowing them to perform the retinal reattachment surgery, becoming the second in the state to have the ability to do so.

In 2024, the ophthalmology service at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital acquired an upgraded surgical microscope with the technology not available in many veterinary ophthalmology practices. According to UC Davis, the microscope has a back-of-the-eye viewing system that provides the surgeon with a clear and uncompromised view of the anatomical area at the back of the eye, including the retina.¹ The acquisition of this microscope has made it possible for retinal attachment surgery at UC Davis for the first time.

“To our knowledge, we are the first veterinary school in the U.S. to perform retinal reattachment surgery in its teaching hospital,” said Soohyun Kim, DVM, PhD, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology.¹“Most likely, there are less than 10 private practice ophthalmologists nationwide performing the surgery. It’s extremely specialized care in veterinary medicine.”

Tashi was determined to be a good candidate for retinal reattachment surgery and after discussing the procedure and potential complications with Tashi’s owners, they all agreed this was what is best for Tashi.

Retinal reattachment surgery is the only way to repair a retinal tear and restore vision, as it secures the detached retina back into its proper position. Tashi’s tears were identified by Kim and she repositioned the retina by removing a natural gel that fills the space between the retina and lens, and then replaces it with silicone oil.¹ Once Kim had Tashi’s retina in place, she used laser treatment to create scar tissue that sealed the retinal breaks.

Prompt retinal reattachment stops the progression of partial detachment and prevents further retinal damage. However, that does not complete the vision restoration process. For the light-sensitive cells to regain function, they need to be reconnected, a process that can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months. The duration of the detachment is also critical when it comes to functional sight recovery.

Veterinary team at UC Davis using the new microscope during a surgery

In a study published in the journal Vet Ophthalmol, the researchers collected the records of 145 dogs, 168 eyes total, that underwent retinal reattachment surgery between 2005 and 2009 and were performed by the same surgeon.² The researchers analyzed the data they collected from the medical records, including signalment, duration of time from diagnosis of retinal detachment to surgical intervention, if prior lensectomy was performed, time from surgery to restoration of vision, and post operative complications. The team also used the collected data to analyze the effects of breed, prior lensectomy, and time from diagnosis to surgery on visual outcome, tendency for complications, and time of complication onset.²

The results of the study found that in 130 dogs, 36 breeds, and 15 mixed-breed dogs were represented, were²:

1. 92% of the dogs were visual after the surgery
2. 3.8% were visual before the procedure and retained vision
3. 96% were nonvisual before and regained vision after
4. 8% that were nonvisual before the procedure did not regain vision

The research also stated that the most common complications from the surgery, in order, cataract development, silicone prolapse into the anterior chamber, corneal ulceration, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and uveitis. ²

Tashi recovered from the anesthesia and surgery and remained in the hospital for one night before being discharged home. For 2 months after the surgery, Tashi had several follow up appointments with the first month her eyes presenting with normal intraocular pressures and appeared open and comfortable. Despite this, she did develop some complications in her right eye about 5 weeks post-surgery.The Nordeens and Kim worked together to resolve the issue, but her owners are overall pleased with how the surgery went, with Tashi’s vision in her left eye being restored.

“She’s only 7-years-old,” Jerry concluded. “She still has a lot of good years ahead. We just couldn’t let her go blind.”

Reference

1. Specialized Eye Surgery Restores Dog’s Vision. News release. UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. January 27, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/specialized-eye-surgery-restores-dogs-vision#:~:text=This%20makes%20retinal%20reattachment%20surgery,assistant%20professor%20of%20clinical%20ophthalmology.
2. Steele KA, Sisler S, Gerding PA. Outcome of retinal reattachment surgery in dogs: a retrospective study of 145 cases. Vet Ophthalmol. 2012;15 Suppl 2:35-40. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01009.x