Bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia in a cria

Abstract

A 2-month-old, male alpaca had a 1-month history of mucoid ocular discharge from the left eye. Signalment, history and clinical findings were suggestive of a congenital nasolacrimal outflow obstruction. A dacryocystorhinogram confirmed bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia, which involved the distal half of both nasolacrimal ducts. In order to establish alternative outflow, a conjunctivomaxillosinusotomy and conjunctivorhinostomy were performed on the right and left eye, respectively. The surgical openings remain patent after 11 months, and there have been no clinical signs of nasolacrimal disease.

Multiple ocular developmental defects in four closely related alpacas

“…Although developmental ocular defects have been documented in camelids, reports are infrequent, and to the authors’ knowledge, the present series is the first to report such findings in related camelids. To date, reports of developmental defects in camelid eyes and adnexa have described largely abnormalities of the nasolacrimal system or anterior uvea, however, camelids with presumed developmental defects of the posterior segment have also been reported . These include case reports of a llama with optic nerve hypoplasia, an unspecified coloboma, and retinal dysplasia; a unilateral large coloboma near the optic disk of an adult llama; an optic nerve coloboma in a South American alpaca; peripapillary colobomata, retinal dysplasia, and microphthalmia in various combinations in a number of alpaca crias less than 8 weeks of age; and retinal separation, vitreous fibrosis and ossification, optic nerve hypoplasia, tunica vasculosa lentis, and retinal aplasia in a camelid cria …”

Disorders of the Neurologic System and Special Senses

“…It is important to be able to perform normograde irrigation, since most nasolacrimal anomalies are located distally (e.g., lack of nasal puncta) in camelids. [123][124][125] Retrograde irrigation may be performed using a 5-Fr 20-inch urethral catheter through the nasal puncta. 126 The nasal puncta is 2 to 3 mm in diameter and may be visualized within the nares 15 to 20 mm proximal to the rostral border of the nasal vestibule ( Figure 38-10).…”

“…123,130,144 Atresia of the nasal puncta of the nasolacrimal duct may be unilateral or bilateral. [123][124][125] The main clinical sign is tearing that moistens the face under the eye. Signs are noticed soon The retinal vessels can be observed dropping over the wall of the coloboma.…”

Ocular Surgery

“…6,7 Congenital NL duct atresia is suspected when clear to cloudy ocular discharge is noted soon after birth (Figure 56-3). Acquired obstruction is suspected when discharge develops later in life.…”

“…7 This procedure is best performed under general anesthesia. In this technique, either a Steinman pin, bone marrow biopsy needle, or a trochar-cannula assembly ("nested trochar") is used to create an alternative path for tear film drainage.…”