Abstract

Background:
Lipemic uveitis (LU) is a rare ophthalmological condition characterized by the abnormal presence of lipoproteins in the anterior chamber of the eye, resulting in an opaque, whitish appearance of the aqueous humor. This report describes a case of a patient with postoperative anterior chamber opacity with a presumptive lipemic component and associated fibrinous reaction following phacoemulsification in a dog with concurrent metabolic disease.

Case Description:
An 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and Cushing's syndrome developed opacity in the aqueous humor of the right eye, without no signs of discomfort after phacoemulsification surgery. Laboratory tests revealed marked hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, supporting a presumptive diagnosis of LU. Treatment included topical anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, mydriatics, subconjunctival steroid administration, and intracameral tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Clinical response was positive, with improved vision, reduced aqueous humor turbidity, and return of normal ocular reflexes.

Conclusion:
This case highlights the importance of metabolic control and postoperative monitoring in dogs with endocrine comorbidities, reinforcing the importance of LU differential diagnosis and the need for early recognition and prompt intervention in predisposed patients.

Key words: Cataract surgery; Cushing’s syndrome; Diabetes mellitus; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertriglyceridemia.