What does the term "hypopyon" refer to in veterinary ophthalmology?

The term "hypopyon" specifically refers to the presence of white blood cells in the anterior chamber of the eye. This condition is often a result of severe ocular inflammation, indicating a response to infection or other inflammatory processes within the eye. The accumulation of white blood cells can be a sign of serious underlying conditions, such as uveitis or infectious disease, and is an important diagnostic feature that veterinarians look for during ocular examinations.

Understanding hypopyon is essential in veterinary ophthalmology because it provides insight into the nature of the ocular disease and assists clinicians in determining the appropriate therapeutic approach. Other choices, while related to ocular conditions, do not accurately define hypopyon. Inflammation of the iris refers to iritis, fluid accumulation in the anterior chamber could describe different conditions but not specifically hypopyon, and fluid build-up behind the retina pertains to other pathologies, such as retinal detachment or choroidal effusion.