# Anatomopathological Characterization of the Main Ocular Lesions in Green Turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) Along the Northern Coast of Bahia, Brazil

## TL;DR

This study identifies common eye diseases in Green sea turtles along Brazil's northern coast, emphasizing their impact on conservation.

## Contribution

The study reports the prevalence of ophthalmic lesions, particularly fibropapillomatosis and spirorchidiasis, in Green sea turtles.

## Key findings

- Fibropapillomatosis was the most frequent ophthalmic lesion (58.9%) in Green sea turtles.
- Spirorchidiasis was found in 46.8% of the evaluated samples.
- Other notable lesions included mucopurulent conjunctivitis and corneal perforation.

## Abstract

This study aimed to identify and report ophthalmic and adnexal diseases found in specimens of the Green sea turtle (
Chelonia mydas
).

Thirty‐nine animals stranded on the beaches of the north coast of Bahia, Brazil were submitted to necropsy. A total of 158 samples of the visual system (eyelids, eyes, and salt glands) from females (71.8%; 28/39) and males (28.2%; 11/39) were analyzed.

Samples without macro and microscopic changes counted as 30.4% (48/158) of the evaluated samples. Approximately 69.6% (110/158) had ophthalmic lesions; 92 were bilateral (24 eyelids, 44 eyes, and 24 salt glands), and 18 were unilateral. The anatomopathological evaluation of the specimens revealed predominantly neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, with fibropapillomatosis (FP) being the most frequent finding (58.9%; 93/158), followed by spirorchidiasis (46.8%; 74/158). Other ophthalmic lesions included mucopurulent conjunctivitis, ulcerative keratitis, corneal perforation, panophthalmitis, phthisis bulbi, bilateral scar tissue in the eyelids, and lithiasis in the salt glands.

This study highlights the significance of understanding eye diseases as they can directly impact the management and preservation of sea turtles. This is particularly true for species in which the visual system plays a crucial role in feeding and migration. Therefore, this data can assist in promoting and implementing preventive and therapeutic measures for the conservation of these animals.