Eye Disorders in Veterinary Science

The eye

The eye

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

Gulshan Kumar

Gulshan Kumar

MVSc, PhD

MVSc, PhD

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

Amaurosis

Amaurosis

is 

is 

blindness without any apparent lesion in the eye. It may be temporary or permanent. Possible

blindness without any apparent lesion in the eye. It may be temporary or permanent. Possible

causes are toxaemia, lesions in the brain, etc. (Note: A temporary form of amaurosis is sometimes seen in

causes are toxaemia, lesions in the brain, etc. (Note: A temporary form of amaurosis is sometimes seen in

cattle due to deficiency of vitamin A which can be corrected by administration of vitamin A.)

cattle due to deficiency of vitamin A which can be corrected by administration of vitamin A.)

Refraction of the eye: 

Refraction of the eye: 

Parallel rays: The amount of divergence of light rays falling on a given area is inversely

Parallel rays: The amount of divergence of light rays falling on a given area is inversely

proportionate to the distance from the source of light. When the distance is 20 feet or more, the divergence

proportionate to the distance from the source of light. When the distance is 20 feet or more, the divergence

is so slight that the rays can be considered as parallel

is so slight that the rays can be considered as parallel

.

.

Emmetropia (Normal sight):

Emmetropia (Normal sight):

When the refraction of the eye is normal, parallel rays coming into the eye in a

When the refraction of the eye is normal, parallel rays coming into the eye in a

condition of rest, are focused exactly on the retina. This condition is known as emmetropia.

condition of rest, are focused exactly on the retina. This condition is known as emmetropia.

Ametropia 

Ametropia 

is a term used to denote a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye due to hypermetropia,

is a term used to denote a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye due to hypermetropia,

myopia, or astigmatism, in which parallel rays are focused either in front or behind the retina.

myopia, or astigmatism, in which parallel rays are focused either in front or behind the retina.

Hypermetropia(Hyperopia; Long sight; Far sight

Hypermetropia(Hyperopia; Long sight; Far sight

): Hypermetropia is a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye

): Hypermetropia is a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye

in which parallel rays come to a focus behind the retina. This type of ametropia is caused if the axis of the

in which parallel rays come to a focus behind the retina. This type of ametropia is caused if the axis of the

eyeball is too short or if the refractive power of the eye is too weak.

eyeball is too short or if the refractive power of the eye is too weak.

Myopia(Short sight; Near sight): 

Myopia(Short sight; Near sight): 

Myopia is a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye in which parallel rays

Myopia is a condition of abnormal refraction of the eye in which parallel rays

get focused in front of the retina. This may happen either due to the axis of the eyeball being too long or

get focused in front of the retina. This may happen either due to the axis of the eyeball being too long or

due to the refractive power of the eye being too strong. (In this condition the eye is able to see clearly only

due to the refractive power of the eye being too strong. (In this condition the eye is able to see clearly only

objects very close to it.)

objects very close to it.)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

Astigmatism: 

Astigmatism: 

When the refraction through several meridians of the eye is different, the

When the refraction through several meridians of the eye is different, the

condition is called astigmatism. Agtigmatism may be caused by irregularities in the cornea or

condition is called astigmatism. Agtigmatism may be caused by irregularities in the cornea or

the lens. Astigmatism causes blurred vision. (Note: A certain degree of astigmatism is normally

the lens. Astigmatism causes blurred vision. (Note: A certain degree of astigmatism is normally

present in the horse.)

present in the horse.)

Disease of the vitreous, retina, choroid and optic nerve/posterior segment

Disease of the vitreous, retina, choroid and optic nerve/posterior segment

The image obtained in the ophthalmoscope while viewing the posterior segment is called fundus

The image obtained in the ophthalmoscope while viewing the posterior segment is called fundus

and it comprises of optic disc, retinal vasculature, and a semitransparent neurosensory retina.

and it comprises of optic disc, retinal vasculature, and a semitransparent neurosensory retina.

Through this, structures like retinal pigment epithelium chorioid or tapetum and posterior sclera

Through this, structures like retinal pigment epithelium chorioid or tapetum and posterior sclera

can be visualised.

can be visualised.

Vitreous:

Vitreous:

Persistent Hyper plastic primary vitreous

Persistent Hyper plastic primary vitreous

 When the vascular supply to the embryonic lens remains in the

 When the vascular supply to the embryonic lens remains in the

adult vitreous, the condition is called persistent hyper plastic primary vitreous. Some times seen as

adult vitreous, the condition is called persistent hyper plastic primary vitreous. Some times seen as

associated with cataract and retinal detachment. Vitreous haemorrhage. This condition could arise

associated with cataract and retinal detachment. Vitreous haemorrhage. This condition could arise

as a sequela to thrombocytopenia, trauma, neoplasia and to infectious diseases. Treatment consists

as a sequela to thrombocytopenia, trauma, neoplasia and to infectious diseases. Treatment consists

of systemic use of corticosteroid.

of systemic use of corticosteroid.

Liquified vitreous (Synchysis scintillans): 

Liquified vitreous (Synchysis scintillans): 

Usually seen in aged patients or as a sequel to inflammation.

Usually seen in aged patients or as a sequel to inflammation.

When the head is moved the freely floating bodies tends to move and settle. It may lead to retinal

When the head is moved the freely floating bodies tends to move and settle. It may lead to retinal

detachment.

detachment.

Asteroid Hyalosis: 

Asteroid Hyalosis: 

When the suspended particles consists of calcium lipid complex.

When the suspended particles consists of calcium lipid complex.

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

Liquified vitreous (Synchysis scintillans): 

Liquified vitreous (Synchysis scintillans): 

Usually seen in aged patients or as a sequel to inflammation.

Usually seen in aged patients or as a sequel to inflammation.

The free-floating bodies tends to move and settle when the head is moved.

The free-floating bodies tends to move and settle when the head is moved.

It may predispose to retinal detachment.

It may predispose to retinal detachment.

Calcium lipid complex containing suspended particles- Asteroid Hyalosis.

Calcium lipid complex containing suspended particles- Asteroid Hyalosis.

Fundus:

Fundus:

Ophthalmoscopic picture/image of the eye is called fundus.

Ophthalmoscopic picture/image of the eye is called fundus.

Portion of the retina which appears through the ophthalmoscope.

Portion of the retina which appears through the ophthalmoscope.

The tapetum helps to intensify the vision in dim light. It is absent in pig.

The tapetum helps to intensify the vision in dim light. It is absent in pig.

Retinal haemorrhage:

Retinal haemorrhage:

Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, neoplasia etc., may predispose for this condition.

Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, neoplasia etc., may predispose for this condition.

Haemorrhage may occur at any layers of the retina.

Haemorrhage may occur at any layers of the retina.

Retinal detachment:

Retinal detachment:

May be due to sub-retinal fluid accumulation, vitreous traction, liquefied vitreous, etc.,

May be due to sub-retinal fluid accumulation, vitreous traction, liquefied vitreous, etc.,

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

Eye-worm affection in large animals: Intra-ocular eye worm:

Eye-worm affection in large animals: Intra-ocular eye worm:

Setaria digitata and Setaria cervi 

Setaria digitata and Setaria cervi 

-intra-ocular eye worms in horses. Accidentally the larvae infesting the animal migrate to the

-intra-ocular eye worms in horses. Accidentally the larvae infesting the animal migrate to the

anterior chamber and causes severe ocular inflammation in horses/cattle.

anterior chamber and causes severe ocular inflammation in horses/cattle.

The antigen present on the surface of the parasite causes an immune mediated response and the condition starts initially as

The antigen present on the surface of the parasite causes an immune mediated response and the condition starts initially as

uveitis and can proceed to a kerato conjunctivitis and uveitis and end as equine recurrent uveitis.

uveitis and can proceed to a kerato conjunctivitis and uveitis and end as equine recurrent uveitis.

Photophobia, Epiphora, Corneal Edema, Hypopyon, Aqueous Flare and Miosis. Blepharospasm. The animal should be

Photophobia, Epiphora, Corneal Edema, Hypopyon, Aqueous Flare and Miosis. Blepharospasm. The animal should be

examined in a calm environment in day light, as well as indoors with a focus light for the eye.

examined in a calm environment in day light, as well as indoors with a focus light for the eye.

A mobile worm can be visualized in dark light. I

A mobile worm can be visualized in dark light. I

Sedation and a local nerve block may be essential.

Sedation and a local nerve block may be essential.

Surgical removal: under auriculopalpberal nerve block , retro bulbar nerve block and a topical application of surface anesthetics,

Surgical removal: under auriculopalpberal nerve block , retro bulbar nerve block and a topical application of surface anesthetics,

an incision is made at the 4’O clock position at the limbus after retracting the eyelids. usally the worm tries to escape along with

an incision is made at the 4’O clock position at the limbus after retracting the eyelids. usally the worm tries to escape along with

the aqueous humor  and if it does not occur,  saline can be injected  and lavaged for removal of the worm.and the incision is

the aqueous humor  and if it does not occur,  saline can be injected  and lavaged for removal of the worm.and the incision is

sutured with 6-0 or 7-0 absorbable suture material in simple interrupted pattern. Post operatively topical antibacterials anti-

sutured with 6-0 or 7-0 absorbable suture material in simple interrupted pattern. Post operatively topical antibacterials anti-

inflammatory agents with administration of flunixin is indicated.  Medical management of the condition with Diethyl

inflammatory agents with administration of flunixin is indicated.  Medical management of the condition with Diethyl

Carbamazine with antiinflammatory agents have been reported.

Carbamazine with antiinflammatory agents have been reported.

Extra ocular eyeworms:

Extra ocular eyeworms:

Thelaziasis: The cattle and horses are affected worldwide. The most common site of lodgment is the pouch of the nictitating

Thelaziasis: The cattle and horses are affected worldwide. The most common site of lodgment is the pouch of the nictitating

membrane. Transmission is through house fly which feeds on the excretions/ lacrimal discharge Conjunctivitis, excessive

membrane. Transmission is through house fly which feeds on the excretions/ lacrimal discharge Conjunctivitis, excessive

lacrimation, localized edema, corneal clouding, and occasionally, sub-conjunctival cysts.

lacrimation, localized edema, corneal clouding, and occasionally, sub-conjunctival cysts.

Treatment: The animal is restrained with auriculo-palpeberal nerve block and retro bulbar nerve block is administered.

Treatment: The animal is restrained with auriculo-palpeberal nerve block and retro bulbar nerve block is administered.

The worms are manually removed from the pouch of the nictitating membrane and a lachrymal duct and irrigatre with normal

The worms are manually removed from the pouch of the nictitating membrane and a lachrymal duct and irrigatre with normal

saline. Topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated along with administration of broad spectrum anthelmintic

saline. Topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated along with administration of broad spectrum anthelmintic

like ivermectin at 200 μg/ kg bwt.

like ivermectin at 200 μg/ kg bwt.

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)

college of veterinary science & animal husbandry, duvasu, Mathura (UP)