OCULAR LESIONS IN HORSES WITH LYMPHOSARCOMA - 21 CASES (1977-1997)

Objective-To determine the most common ocular lesions in horses with l ymphosarcoma. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-79 horses histologic ally confirmed to have lymphosarcoma. Procedure-Ophthalmic examination s were performed by a single individual. Results-21 of 79 horses had l esions involving the eye or ocular adnexa. Infiltration of the palpebr al conjunctiva and eyelids was the most common lesion (n = 11). Other lesions included uveitis (n = 4), corneoscleral masses (2), third eyel id masses (2), and diffuse retrobulbar infiltrates (2). Clinical Impli cations-in horses with lymphosarcoma, ocular lesions may precede or be more obvious than lymph node enlargement or signs of visceral involve ment. Early recognition of ocular lesions suggestive of lymphosarcoma may allow a more rapid diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in horses.