# Cataract Surgery in Pet Rabbits: Clinical Presentation, Treatment, and Long-Term Outcomes

## TL;DR

This study shows that cataract surgery using phacoemulsification is safe and effective for pet rabbits, with good long-term outcomes and minimal complications.

## Contribution

The study provides evidence for the efficacy of phacoemulsification in treating cataracts in rabbits, particularly those caused by Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

## Key findings

- Phacoemulsification without intraocular lens implantation was successfully performed in seven pet rabbits with cataracts.
- Long-term follow-up (12–40 months) showed stable ophthalmic outcomes with minimal severe complications.
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi was identified as the most common pathogen associated with cataracts in the studied rabbits.

## Abstract

This retrospective study describes the clinical presentation, surgical management, and long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in seven pet rabbits. Encephalitozoon cuniculi was identified as the most common pathogen associated with cataracts (5/7 cases). All rabbits underwent phacoemulsification without intraocular lens implantation. Postoperatively, all rabbits demonstrated a positive dazzle reflex and maintained a clear visual axis with no severe complications. Owners reported improved visual behavior within two weeks. Long-term follow-up (12–40 months) indicated stable ophthalmic outcomes, with one case lost to in-person follow-up at two months but reported normal via telephone. Minor complications included lens fiber overgrowth, posterior capsular opacities, and iris synechia. These findings support the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification for cataract management in rabbits over extended follow-up periods.

Cataracts cause vision loss in rabbits, often either spontaneously or as secondary to uveitis. This study considers the ophthalmic presentation, treatment, and outcome of phacoemulsification in seven pet rabbits: six presenting with lens cloudiness and one presenting with a white mass in the iris. Ophthalmic examinations revealed cataracts. The treatment plan was phacoemulsification. Encephalitozoon cuniculi was identified via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique performed on all rabbits. Ocular ultrasonography was performed to rule out retinal detachment. Phacoemulsification using the one-handed technique without intraocular lens implantation was performed in 8 of the eyes of the 7 rabbits. After surgery, the corneal wounds healed within 2 weeks. All rabbits were comfortable with opening their eyes and had a positive dazzle reflex and a clear visual axis, with no other severe complications (such as retinal detachment, intraocular hemorrhaging, or uncontrolled glaucoma) throughout the post-operative period. Postoperative complications consisted of corneal edema around the surgical wound (2 eyes; 25%); partial anterior synechiae (1 eye; 12.5%); partial posterior synechiae (5 eyes; 3 eyes before surgery and 2 eyes after surgery; 25%); posterior capsular opacities (3 eyes; 37.5%); and lens fiber overgrowths (2 eyes; 25%). In conclusion, successful phacoemulsification was achieved in the seven pet rabbits.