Ocular manifestations of the Chédiak-Higashi syndrome in four species of animals.

Ocular examinations were performed on cattle, cats, mink, and mice affected with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome (CHS). Bovine eyes were examined grossly and with an indirect ophthalmoscope, and Schirmer tear tests were performed. Feline eyes were examined grossly as well as with an indirect opthalmoscope and a slit lamp biomicroscope, and Schirmer tear tests were done on them. Postrotatory nystagmus was induced and measured in clinically normal Siamese cats, in clinically normal Persian and domestic short-haired cats, and in cats with CHS. Mink and mouse eyes were examined grossly with focal illumination. The animals with CHS had photophobia, pale irises, and fundic hypopigmentation associated with red fundic light reflections. Cats with CHS also had cataracts. Spontaneous nystagmus was observed in four of nine cats with CHS, and the duration of induced nystagmus was longer in the cats with CHS and in Siamese cats than in clinically normal cats that were not Siamese. Tear secretion appeared to be normal in all species of animals with CHS. The ocular manifestations of CHS in these animals were compared with those reported in man and were found to be similar.