Unilateral Hypermature Cataract and Uveitis in Dwarf Campbell's Hamster (Phodopus campbelli)

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Background: In the ophthalmological examination of a 1.5-year-old male dwarf Campbell hamster, who was examined with complaints of photophobia, pain, weakness and whitening of the eye color, hypermature cataract and chronic uveitis were observed in the left eye. Methods: Local antibiotic therapy was administered to the patient for the first ten days in order to eliminate a possible microbial agent. In addition, local NSAI drugs were applied to reduce pain and inflammation. Then, peros Prednol (methylprednisolone) was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for the first ten days and 1 mg/kg for the next ten days in order to suppress the inflammation associated with uveitis. The patient’s body weight and intraocular pressure were measured before the treatment. During the treatment, intraocular pressure values were checked every day. During this period, the patient was fed ad libitum at normal room temperature, in his own cage. Result: As a result of the treatment applied to the patient, who was followed up for more than a month, symptoms such as pain, photophobia and blepharospasm disappeared and the patient’s eating and drinking status improved compared to the past. However, increasing dose of Prednol did not have the expected effect on intraocular pressure values. Due to the very small size of the hamster eye in the treatment of hypermature cataracts, lens removal cannot be performed as easily as in other species.