2008 Volume 21 Issue 4 Pages 239-241
A unique conjunctive stricture was observed in the eye of a male 17-week-old Japanese White rabbit (Kbl:JW). The conjunctival membrane had proliferated centripetally and covered a large portion of the cornea. However, the membrane did not adhere to the cornea. Histopathologically, the inner epithelium of the conjunctival membrane appeared flattened, while the outer epithelium had become stratified and squamous. Goblet cells were observed on both sides of the epithelium. The lamina propria consisted of well-developed, vascularized collagen fiber. Myxoid change was seen near the tip of the membrane. In animals, these conjunctival membranes have been reported in a few dwarf rabbits, dogs and horses and have had various different terms applied to them due to their unknown etiology. Based on the conventions of human ophthalmology, such lesions should be regarded as pseudopterygia. Therefore, the present case was diagnosed as involving a pseudopterygium. The centripetal proliferation of the conjunctival membrane may be a characteristic finding in animal cases. Our goal is to encourage accumulation of such cases by researchers and practitioners working in the field of toxicology.
