Photodynamic lipid peroxidation in the eye during the experimental induction of Turkey Blindness Syndrome

Turkeys were exposed to continuous artificial light (intensity 10 foot-candles) from 1 day old to 12 weeks of age. Buphthalmos developed and this was associated with an increased rate of lipid peroxidation, particularly in the posterior segment of the eye. It was found that feeding a ration deficient in natural antioxidants also raised the level of lipid peroxides in the eye, but did not induce buphthalmos. Given parenterally to birds under normal conditions of light and dark, iron dextran did not have any significant effect on lipid peroxidation in the eye but it synergized the effect induced by continuous artificial light.