Ocular diseases in New World camelids presented to the Veterinary University in Vienna: 68 cases (2009-2025)

To investigate the proportion of recorded ocular disorders, their anatomical distribution and clinical presentation of ocular diseases in New World camelids examined at the Veterinary University in Vienna.

Medical records of New World camelids examined for ophthalmic disorders between 2009 and 2025 were reviewed retrospectively. Data recorded included species, laterality, affected ocular structures and final diagnoses. The proportion of recorded disorders (n = 143) was calculated for each anatomical category.

Sixty-eight animals (59 alpacas, 9 llamas) with 104 affected eyes were included. Patients three years or younger (54.4%; p < 0.001) and males (61.8%; p = 0.026) were more frequently affected. Case numbers steadily increased over the study period. The cornea was the most commonly affected ocular structure (36.4%; 52/143), followed by the conjunctiva (16.8%; 24/143), uvea (15.4%; 22/143) and lens (15.4%; 22/143). Corneal changes mainly represented as keratitis (12.6%), corneal ulceration (9.8%), melting corneal ulcer (6.3%) and corneal perforation (4.9%). Uveitis accounted for 15.4% of all recorded disorders, while conjunctivitis occurred in 14.7% of cases. Lens abnormalities were primarily cataracts (incipient 9.1%, immature 2.1%, mature 2.1%, hypermature 2.1%). Adnexal conditions were less frequent (11.2%), with entropion being the most common (4.9%). Rare disorders included dacryocystitis, nasolacrimal duct agenesis or endophthalmitis (each 1.4%) and persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis (0.7%).

Corneal disease was the most frequent ophthalmic diseases in New World camelids. These results highlight the clinical relevance of early detection and targeted management of ocular disease in New World camelids.