Cataracts and optic nerve hypoplasia in turkey poults

Newly hatched commercial turkey poults culled because of grossly visible cataracts were studied. A total of 43 affected and 23 unaffected control poults at various ages were necropsied, and the ocular changes in affected poults were compared with those of aged-matched controls. Affected poults had consistent cataracts coupled with a marked depletion in retinal inner plexiform, ganglion cell, and optic nerve fiber layers, with a resultant reduction in the size of the optic nerves. Lesions were seen in 1-day-old poults. Lens changes included microphakia and lens fiber degeneration throughout the lens, with nuclear liquefaction. The depletion in the numbers of retinal ganglion cells did not appear to progress over several weeks time. The ganglion cell depletion was not uniform within the retina. The cause for these ocular changes is unknown.