Ocular Manifestations in Dogs With Facial Nerve Dysfunction.

FND in dogs causes severe ocular complications requiring aggressive early management, especially in brachycephalic breeds.

This retrospective study examined ocular manifestations in 74 dogs (84 eyes) with facial nerve dysfunction (FND) evaluated over 14 years. French Bulldogs were most frequently affected (27%). Facial nerve paralysis occurred in 63.1% of eyes, with paresis in 36.9%. Primary etiologies included idiopathic (14.9%), iatrogenic (13.5%), and otitis media/interna (12.2%) cases. Corneal sensitivity and tear production were significantly reduced in affected eyes regardless of skull morphology. Ulcerative keratitis developed in 61.9% of cases, occurring more frequently and severely in brachycephalic dogs. Only 47.6% of dogs achieved facial function recovery, unaffected by age or skull type but differing significantly by sex. Poor ocular outcomes correlated with reduced corneal sensation and anterior uveitis presence. Ultimately, 17.6% of eyes required enucleation. The study demonstrates that FND carries a guarded prognosis with frequent ocular surface disease complications, particularly in brachycephalic breeds, emphasizing the importance of early ophthalmic intervention.

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