title: Anterior ocular abnormalities of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey and classify anterior ocular abnormalities in 1478 captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) in six regions of Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anterior ocular examination was performed in both eyes (n = 2956) of 1478 elephants selected from the annual health check program involving 2958 animals within six regions of Thailand from January to November 2013. Lesions were described and compared between age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 17.83% (527/2956) of examined eyes from 24.97% (369/1478) of examined elephants had anterior ocular abnormalities. The most common lesions in these examined eyes were frothy ocular discharge (5.85%), corneal edema (5.31%), and conjunctivitis (5.18%). In addition, epiphora, phthisis bulbi, other corneal abnormalities, anterior uveitis, and lens abnormalities were noted. Almost all lesions increased in frequency with age (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular ophthalmic examination in elephants should be included in their annual health check program. Early detection and treatment of any ocular abnormality may avoid the development of subsequent irreversible ocular pathology.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natapong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kraiwong
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal and Wild Life Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pornchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanyathitiseree
authors.affiliation: Elephant Hospital, National Elephant Institute, Forest Industry Organization, Lampang, 52190, Thailand.
authors.forename: Khajohnpat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boonprasert
authors.affiliation: Royal White Elephant's Stable, Royal Chitrlada Palace, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phiphatanachatr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diskul
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Development, National Institute of Elephant Research and Health Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Surin, 32000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Patara
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charoenphan
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Development, National Institute of Elephant Research and Health Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Surin, 32000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Weerasak
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pintawong
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand.
authors.forename: Aree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thayananuphat
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology*; D004606:Elephants; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: cataract; conjunctivitis; corneal abnormalities; elephant; uveitis