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

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common ocular lesions in horses with lymphosarcoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 79 horses histologically confirmed to have lymphosarcoma. PROCEDURE: Ophthalmic examinations were performed by a single individual. RESULTS: 21 of 79 horses had lesions involving the eye or ocular adnexa. Infiltration of the palpebral conjunctiva and eyelids was the most common lesion (n = 11). Other lesions included uveitis (n = 4), corneoscleral masses (2), third eyelid masses (2), and diffuse retrobulbar infiltrates (2). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In horses with lymphosarcoma, ocular lesions may precede or be more obvious than lymph node enlargement or signs of visceral involvement. Early recognition of ocular lesions suggestive of lymphosarcoma may allow a more rapid diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in horses.