What clinical condition is associated with the Tyndall effect in optical dissection?

The Tyndall effect is observed when light is scattered by particles in a colloid or particles that are large enough to scatter light, leading to a visible haze or turbidity in a fluid. In the context of veterinary ophthalmology, this effect can be seen in cases of uveitis, which is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. When uveitis occurs, inflammatory cells and proteins can accumulate in the aqueous humor, the fluid filling the space between the cornea and the lens, causing a observable haze. This scattering of light is the manifestation of the Tyndall effect.

In instances of cataracts, the issue lies in the lens opacity itself rather than the presence of particles in the aqueous humor, and while glaucoma can affect fluid dynamics and pressure in the eye, it is not characterized by the Tyndall effect. Retinal detachment primarily involves detachment of the retina from its underlying supportive tissue, leading to different visual symptoms and is also not associated with scattering in the aqueous humor in the same way that uveitis is. Therefore, the Tyndall effect is a key indicator of inflammation in the eye, making uveitis the correct association.