Abstract

Ocular diseases are common issues in captive and wild pinnipeds. However, the types of ocular problems differ between these groups. Records from 2145 pinnipeds from 2 stranding facilities were reviewed (January through November 2009). Data collected included species (Zalophus californianus, Phoca vitulina, and Mirounga angustirostri), sex, age (pup, yearling, juvenile, subadult, adult), clinical ocular diseases, presence/absence of sight, concurrent or associated medical problems and cause of death/euthanasia. Descriptive statistics were performed as further analyses were negated due to the inability to evaluate the non-stranded wild pinnipeds that would act as a control group. Corneal edema and nonspecific opacities were most common in pups, followed by corneal ulcers, corneal perforations, cataracts, phthisis bulbi, hyphema, anterior lens luxation, fibrin/hypopyon and blindness. Corneal ulcers were most common in yearlings followed by corneal edema, cataracts, corneal perforation, phthisis bulbi, blindness, fibrin/hypopyon, medial strabismus, hyphema, and anterior lens luxation. Corneal perforation and phthisis bulbi were most common in juveniles, followed by corneal edema, cataracts, fibrin/hypopyon, corneal ulcers, anterior lens luxation and conjunctivitis. Phthisis bulbi and blindness were most common in subadults, followed by corneal ulcers, corneal edema and cataracts. Corneal edema was most common in adults followed by corneal ulcers, cataracts, blindness, corneal perforations, phthisis bulbi, fibrin/hypopyon, medial strabismus, anterior lens luxation and hyphema. Domoic acid toxicity was common in all age groups, except juveniles, with various concurrent eye problems including intermittent blindness, anisocoria, relative enophthalmos with contralateral relative exophthalmos. Blindness may lead to stranding, and systemic diseases can predispose to ocular problems including corneal ulcers, perforations, and cataracts.