title: Presumptive electric cataracts in a Great Horned owl (Bubo virginianus).
abstract: This case report describes suspected electrocution in a juvenile female Great Horned owl (Bubo virginianus) with subsequent bilateral cataract formation. The bird flew into a high-voltage power line and was immediately rescued. Burn wounds of the head and ataxia with apparent blindness were noted. Initial ophthalmic examination 5 days after the incident revealed bilaterally symmetrical anterior subcapsular vacuolar cataracts with absence of intraocular inflammation and a predominantly clear view to the normal appearing fundus. The bird appeared to be nonvisual. No ophthalmic medications were prescribed at initial examination. Subsequent recheck examination at 8 weeks revealed moderate resolution of the cataracts and improved vision. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of suspected electric cataracts in an avian species.
authors.affiliation: Eye Care for Animals, 1021 E. 3300 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84106, USA.
authors.forename: D Dustin
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dees
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: MacLaren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D020305:Strigiformes