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Melbourne Eye Vet  |  Dr Anu O'Reilly and Dr Chloe Hardman  |  Animal Eye Specialists
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    • Virtual Tour of Melbourne EyeVet
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    • Chloe Hardman
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    • The Team
  • Information
    • For Veterinarians >
      • Veterinary Referral
      • Information Resources
    • Veterinary Students
    • For Pet Owners >
      • E-collar help
      • Useful websites and products
      • Hattie's Halo
      • How to give eye drops
      • How to apply ointment
      • Surgery
      • Specialist Anaesthesia
      • Pug Eye Disease
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Breeders >
      • Breed Eye Certification
      • Breed Specific Information
    • HORSES
  • Eye Conditions
    • Canine >
      • Blephartitis
      • Cataracts >
        • Cataract Post Op Care
        • Cataract Post Op Video
      • Cherry Eye
      • Chorioretinitis
      • Conjunctivitis-Dog
      • Corneal endothelial degeneration
      • Corneal laceration and Iris Prolapse
      • Corneal lipidosis
      • Deep and infected ulcers
      • Distichia
      • Dry eye
      • Ectopic Cilia
      • Entropion-Dog
      • Eyelid Tumour
      • Glaucoma-Dog
      • Glaucoma Shunt
      • Horner's Syndrome
      • Iris Cyst
      • Intraocular Silicon Prosthesis
      • Living with a blind pet
      • Anterior Lens Luxation
      • Posterior lens Luxation
      • Pannus
      • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
      • Retrobulbar Disease
      • SARDS - SUDDEN ACQUIRED RETINAL DEGENERATION SYNDROME
      • Sudden Vision Loss
      • Superficial ulcer
      • Uveitis
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      • Conjunctivitis-Cat
      • Corneal Sequestrum
      • Entropion-Cat
      • Feline Herpes - Viral Keratitis
      • Glaucoma-Cat
      • Hypertension
      • Anterior lens Luxation
    • Equine >
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      • Corneal Ulcers
      • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
      • Uveitis
    • Exotics
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    • Mulgrave (Main)
    • Frankston
    • Mornington
    • Essendon
    • Mill Park
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    • Bendigo
    • Narre Warren North ( Horses)
    • Traralgon
    • Wodonga
    • Ballarat
    • Darwin
  • Contact Us
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posterior lens luxation

Posterior Lens Luxation (PLL)
 
The lens is the clear structure inside the eye that allows the eye to focus. When the lens becomes unhealthy, it is called a cataract and looks white. The lens normally sits behind the iris (the coloured part of the eye). When the lens falls backward behind the iris, it is called a posterior lens luxation (PLL). 
 
Consequences of PLL
Fluid that normally keeps the eye round is produced and drained at the same rate.  When the lens falls backward, this fluid is allowed to filter out normally and pressure is usually maintained in the normal range.  If the lens suddenly comes forward, it can blocks the fluid from leaving the eye, and the eye pressure quickly goes up.  This is called glaucoma and can result in substantial pain and vision loss.
 
Clinical signs of PLL
Subtle and difficult to determine, may include:
  • Iris wobble
  • Deeper anterior chamber

Breed predisposition
Breeds that commonly develop PLL are Jack Russell Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Fox Terriers and Bull Terriers.  Many more breeds can develop anterior lens luxation.
 
Treatment for PLL
Long term medical management with a drop called a miotic (shrinks the size of the pupil) can help keep the lens behind the iris. Twice daily treatment is usually required.  If the pupil is allowed to dilate the lens may come forward, resulting in anterior lens luxation and secondary glaucoma. This treatment will not work if the pupil is not physically capable of miosis (becoming small) for example due to age-related degeneration of the iris sphincter muscle.

Complications of PLL
Even with long term treatment, complications do occur and include:
  • Glaucoma (Elevated eye pressure)
  • Uveitis (Inflammation in the eye)
  • Hyphaema (Blood inside the eye)
  • Retinal Detachment (Blindness)
  • Corneal oedema (Cloudiness of the cornea)

Vision with PLL
Without a lens in place, dogs can still manage to navigate but close up focus (less than 75 cm) is poor.  With a small pupil due to the drops, vision can also be reduced, especially in dim light.

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 03
9545 0103.

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