Ocular Examination Findings in Clinically-Healthy Aged Rockfish (Genus: Sebastes) Under Managed Care

To assess, document, and describe ocular changes in captive, clinically-healthy aged rockfish at a public aquarium facility.

Eight captive rockfish of the genus Sebastes from the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. anonymized for review.

Eight rockfish were anesthetized for a physical examination, radiographs, phlebotomy, ophthalmic examination, and ophthalmic ultrasonography.

In general, these rockfish had ocular anatomy similar to that of other teleosts. Mean intraocular pressures determined with rebound tonometry were lower (mean 3.1 ± 0.8 mm Hg) than those reported in other teleosts. All eyes had at least one ocular abnormality, most commonly corneal fibrosis (100%), cataracts (67%), and lenticular sclerosis (44%).

Age-related ocular changes, specifically incipient cataracts and lenticular sclerosis, were most commonly observed. Findings of lower mean intraocular pressures may support age-related decline in intraocular pressure, as is seen in other species, but species-specific differences cannot be ruled out. Evidence of prior corneal damage in all animals is consistent with the high rates of ocular trauma and subsequent corneal disease seen in bony fish.