Characterisation of cataracts and other ophthalmic findings in various species of captive penguins

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS Elisa M.González-Alonso-Alegre contributed to the design of the study, performed the ophthalmic examination of the penguins, analysed the results and wrote and revised the manuscript. Eva Martínez-Nevado performed the clinical evaluation of the animals housed at the zoo, helped manage the animals during the ophthalmic examination, contributed to the análisis of the results and revised the manuscript. Lino Pérez de Quadros and Manuel de la Riva-Fragua performed the clinical evaluation of the animals housed at Faunia, helped manage the animals during the ophthalmic examination and revised the manuscript. Alfonso Rodríguez-Alvaro contributed to the design of the study, performed the ophthalmic examination of the penguins, analysed the results and revised the manuscript.
Background: Identification of ophthalmic diseases that affect vision and/or cause discomfort should be a priority in captive penguins to guarantee their wellness and life quality. Methods: An observational study was conducted. A routine ophthalmologic examination was performed on eighty clinically normal penguins (160 eyes). Results: Ocular lesions were frequent (56% of penguins). Cataracts were the most common (48.8% of penguins). Cortical cataracts (63% of eyes) and posterior subcapsular cataracts (27.4%) were the most common. All maturation stages were found; incipient cataracts (52.1% of eyes with cataracts) were predominant, while morgagnian cataracts (8.2%) were the least frequent. A correlation existed between lenticular changes and increasing age. Uveitis was present in 43.8% of eyes with cataracts, and ectropion uveae was the predominant clinical sign. Other ocular findings included blepharitis (3.8% of all eyes), corneal leukoma (5.6%) and posterior lens subluxation (7.5%). Limitations: The small number of birds of some species prevented comparison of ophthalmic findings between them. Conclusion: This study corroborates the high prevalence of ocular lesions in captive penguins. Cataracts were frequent and age related. Most cataracts were cortical and the predominant maturation stage was incipient. Lens induced uveitis was a common finding. Lowered intraocular pressure was related to cataract formation.
Depto. de Medicina y Cirugía Animal
Fac. de Veterinaria
TRUE
pub