Effects of Canthoplasty in Preventing Secondary Ocular Surface Lesions in Brachycephalic Dogs

When detected early, canthoplasty controls the clinical signs and complications associated with accentuated eye exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction in the palpebral fissure to prevent ophthalmic lesions secondary to brachycephalic dog syndrome. A total of 64 eyes of brachycephalic dogs were studied, divided into the control group (22 eyes submitted to traditional clinical treatment) and the treated group (42 eyes submitted to canthoplasty). Tear production, tear film break-up time (TFBUT), tear crystallization time (TCT), and the occurrence of corneal ulcers were assessed prior to treatment (T0), seven days after therapy or surgery (T7), and after 30 days (T30), and reassessments were performed every three months, until month 18. It was observed that the treated animals (treated group) showed an improvement in tear production compared to the control animals (control group). In addition, the treated animals showed a significant increase in TFBUT (T9M), which was higher than the control group. The TCT evaluation scores of the treated group decreased compared to the control group (T12M), and the occurrence of corneal ulcers was significantly higher in the control group in the medium term. We concluded that early canthoplasty in brachycephalic dogs prevented the occurrence of secondary lesions, increased tear production and quality, and reduced the occurrence of ulcers, particularly in the medium term.