Bilateral uncomplicated anopthalmia in a buffalo calf

Abstract

The present case reports the bilateral anopthalmia in a five day old male graded Murrah buffalo calf. The eyelids were closed and the eyeballs were not visible. The eyelids were undersized, upper eyelid had long cilia but the lower eye lid lack cilia. The palpebral fissure was so small as to prevent retraction of the eyelids at five days old. At three months old the size of the right palpebral fissure was 1.9×0.8 cm and that of left was 2.1×0.8 cm. Dissection of skull and brain at three months age revealed the abnormal tissue masses in the orbit which could not be easily identified as ocular. Orbital cavity showed remnants of ocular muscles, fibrous tissue and some fat. There was a small conjunctival sac. Cornea, sclera, choroid, iris, ciliary body, retina and lens were not found grossly. The nictitating membrane was not detectable. Optic foramen was pin head sized. The ventral aspect of the brain revealed hypotrophied optic chiasma and the optic tracts and absence of optic nerves. History and the bull semen register revealed that the specified animal and its dam were produced by the same bull’s semen. Even though it was not confirmatory it was helpful to suggest hereditary involvement.