Relação da hiperglicemia com a catarata biabetogênica em cães

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is a metabolic disorder characterized by hypoinsulinemia, meaning the animal's inability to maintain glycemic control. It is the result of the loss of function of the cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for the production of insulin. With the fall of the circulating hormone, it is difficult to transport glucose from the blood to most cells, generating an increase in gluconeogenesis, hepatic glycogenolysis and production of ketone bodies. Cataracts are an important problem in ophthalmology and common in cases of dogs with diabetes mellitus, since glucose saturation directly interferes with osmolarity through sorbitol inside the lens. Cataracts are the opacification of the lens resulting in loss of vision in the affected eye, which is usually bilateral in cases of diabetogenic cataracts and which can result not only in problems with visual impairment, but also in relevant secondary problems including even the loss of the eyeball. Unfortunately, there is no medication available for the treatment of cataracts, but in the case of diabetogenic cataracts, there are drugs that inhibit the enzyme aldose reductase and cause the cataract process to minimize its progression. However, the only viable treatment is surgical, with aspiration / dissection, intracapsular facetomy and phacoemulsification techniques being available to solve the problem.