Luxation of the Crystalline Lens in the Dog

SUMMARY Luxation of the crystalline lens is a heritable defect in the dog and is virtually confined to a small group of terrier breeds. The condition is usually bilateral, although both eyes are not necessarily affected simultaneously. The lens may subluxate or dislocate, usually into the anterior chamber. Secondary glaucoma follows and leads to hydrophthalmos and gross damage to the eye. Lens extraction is effective in preventing hydrophthalmos if carried out sufficiently early, but is of little value, even if combined with a pressure relieving operation once hydrophthalmos is established.