The Scheimpflug photography system was compared with a photo-slit lamp camera with regard to slit lamp examination and slit lamp photography of the eye. UPL rats (model rat for cataract study) were used in order to make a comprehensive analysis between the two devices. Despite some need for improvement in image quality and slit beam application, the Scheimpflug photo slit lamp biomicroscope allows all the surface of an object to be in focus in one photograph without the need for any complicated operating procedures. The Scheimpflug photo slit lamp biomicroscope was thus found to be useful for even unskilled operators in the field of ophthalmology when using experimental animals.

Spontaneous bilateral vacuolar cataract was frequently observed in guinea pigs (Crj: Hartley (SPF)) by the ophthalmological examination. The vacuolar cataracts were observed in 7 of 135 male guinea pigs, at age of 7-13 weeks, and 4 of 20 female guinea pigs, at age of 18-27 weeks. These vacuolar cataracts were bilateral, and observed at the equator of lens in affected animals, however, the finding disappeared in one of the animals in the examination of the 13 weeks after. The histopathological examination revealed these findings were vacuolation of cortex of lens, and the alteration of lens has not been found in the animal that cataract disappeared.

To accumulate historical control data, spontaneous ophthalmic lesions in aged, 110-week-old, F344/DuCrj (F344) rats (357 males and 330 females) were examined ophthalmoscopically. The incidences of the ophthalmic lesions were 19.9% in males and 20.6% in females. The most common ocular lesion in the aged rats was retinal atrophy (8.4% in males and 9.7% in females). Other common ocular lesions were cataract (3.6% in males and 4.8% in females) and abnormal vasculature of the retina (3.4% in males and 4.6% in females). Iris tumor was observed in a male rat. Other ophthalmic lesions observed included panophthalmitis, corneal opacity, keratoglobus, retinal hemorrhage, retinal icterus, edematous optic disc, and choroidal atrophy. The incidences of ocular lesions in the aged F344 rats were markedly higher than those in the young-adult F344 rats. It seems that these results contribute to characterize spontaneous ophthalmoscopic lesions in the aged F344 rats.

Spontaneous ocular lesions in the 57-and 109-week-old Crj: CD (SD) IGS (IGS) rats (20 males and 20 females at 57 weeks of age, 17 males and 29 females at 109 weeks of age) were investigated histopathologically. At 57 weeks of age, corneal degeneration characterized by focal deposition of basophilic materials in the corneal epithelial basement membrane was observed in both sexes. Preretinal arteriolar loop, retinal dysplasia, and peripheral and diffuse retinal degeneration were detected in the 57-week-old female rats. At 109 weeks of age, corneal degeneration, cataract, and peripheral and diffuse retinal degeneration were observed in male and female rats. The incidences of corneal degeneration in the 109-week-old rats (11.8% in males and 41.4% in females) were significantly lower than those in the 57-week-old rats (50.0% in males and 75.0% in females). In contrast, the incidences of retinal degeneration in the 109-week-old rats (52.9% in males and 75.9% in females) were significantly higher than those in the 57-week-old rats (0% in males and 30.0% in females). It seems that these results contribute to characterize spontaneous ocular lesions in the aged IGS rats.

The eyes were periodically examined on 150 male and 150 female Crj: CD (SD) IGS rats for up to 1 year with a slit lump and an indirect ophthalmoscope in order to survey age-related spontaneous ocular lesions. The pupil was dilated instillation of 0.5% tropicamide to facilitate the examination. Most of the ocular lesions observed in this study were of the type commonly seen in the Sprague-Dawley strain rat. The incidences of corneal opacity and lenticular opacity were generally increased with increasing age. Anterior subcapsular lenticular opacity found in Crj: CD (SD) IGS rats was a new spontaneous ocular lesion which has not been reported in Japan.

Testing values of phenol red thread tear test (PRT) were analyzed.

In the case of dogs with normal lacrimal levels, testing values of PRT demonstrated the normal distribution and the coefficient of variation (C. V.) was similar to the C. V. resulted from the data of Schirmer tear test (STT) (12% for PRT, 14% for STT).

On the other hand, testing values of dogs with high variation of lacrimal level, significant correlation was found between STT and PRT values. Measuring STT requires 60 s whereas the PRT requires 15 s, and PRT is easier for estimation of lacrimal level. These results showed the clinical usefulness of PRT for dogs.

Six year-old spayed mixed dogs was referred for the mass of left bulber conjunctiva.

On eye examination, there was red swelling mass on 2-4oclocks bulber conjunctiva, but limbus and cornea were normal. Surgical operation was done, but the mass was infiltrated to the third eyelid, and could not complete removal. Historogicaly, the mass was mast cell tumor. She was recieved internal medication after operation, and the mass was all clear. We stop medication now, but there is no recurrence.