Jr. Gionfriddo et al., OCULAR DISEASES OF LLAMAS - 194 CASES (1980-1993), Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 210(12), 1997, pp. 1784
Objective-To identify ocular and adnexal diseases to which llamas in N
orth America are susceptible, to determine prevalence of these disease
s in llamas, and to compare prevalences of the major ocular diseases o
f llamas, cattle, and horses. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-194
llamas, 4,937 cows, and 11,950 horses with ocular disease. Procedure-M
edical records of all llamas entered into the Veterinary Medical Datab
ase between 1980 and 1993 were reviewed. Data on ocular structures aff
ected and types of ocular disease were compiled. Prevalences of uveiti
s, corneal ulcers, and ocular squamous cell carcinoma in llamas were c
ompared with prevalences in cattle and horses. Results-194 of 3,243 (6
%) llamas had at least 1 ocular disease. The proportion of llamas that
had ocular disease was significantly higher than the proportions of c
attle or horses. The most frequently affected ocular structure in llam
as was the cornea, and ulcerative keratitis was the most common cornea
l disease. The second most commonly affected structure was the uveal t
ract. Cataracts were reported in 20 (10%) of the llamas with ocular pr
oblems. Eyelid disorders, retinal diseases, glaucoma, and ocular or ad
nexal neoplasia were reported infrequently in llamas. Clinical Implica
tions-Results suggest that corneal disease is common in llamas and is
usually secondary to trauma. Uveitis may also be common in llamas, but
llamas do not appear to be highly susceptible to glaucoma, ocular neo
plasia, or to direct corneal invasion by bacteria such as Moraxella sp
.