Congenital glaucoma in a tiger (Panthera tigris)

Abstract

Objective: To describe a case of congenital glaucoma in atiger (Panthera tigris).

Animal studied: An 8-month-old intact female tiger wasreferred for suspected glaucoma of the right eye. The right eye was buphthalmicwith moderate episcleral injection, circumferential superficial cornealneovascularization, moderate corneal edema, and a fixed dilated pupil. Tapetalreflection was absent due to a mature cataract. Rebound tonometry under generalanesthesia revealed 70 mmHg and 21 mmHg in the right and left eye, respectively.

Procedure: A trans-conjunctival enucleation was performedand the globe was submitted for histopathology.

Results: Histopathology revealed a thin sclera, amorphousmaterial contouring an imperforate and hypoplastic iridocorneal angle, ahypoplastic lens with severe anterior-posterior compression, subcapsularepithelial hyperplasia, and Morganian globules, and segmental moderate retinalatrophy. Periodic acid-Schiff stain highlighted segmental dilations of theDescemet's membrane. Masson trichrome stain highlighted a pre-irido collagenmembrane.

Conclusion: The tiger's age and histopathologic findingsare consistent with congenital goniodysgenesis. This is the first known reportof congenital glaucoma in a tiger.

Keywords: congenital glaucoma; feline; goniodysgenesis; tiger.