Reduced beef production in the form of lowered weight gain, milk production, body condition and eventually even poorer reproduction can result from eye infections and lesions.
One of the culprits that initiates and spreads eye problems between herds and among herdmates is “Pinkeye” or more properly called Infectious Bovine Keratoconjnctivits.
An excellent Oklahoma State University fact sheet about the prevention and treatment of “pinkeye” is available online here.
Iowa State University animal scientists analyzed field data from ISU herds and cooperator herds in 2003 through 2005.
They sought to estimate the genetic measurements that could aid in the selection of cattle resistant to Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly known as pinkeye.
They found a decrease in weaning weight of 30 pounds per calf infected with pinkeye. The analysis of the field data revealed an estimate of 0.11 for heritability of resistance to pinkeye.
This estimate is considered to be of low heritability, which indicates that only slow progress can be made based on selection for IBK resistance.
It does mean that, over time, if we select replacements from cows that are not prone to having eye problems (especially pinkeye) we would be able to very gradually reduce the incidence of pinkeye in our herds.
Also they studied the immune components involved in eye disease defense mechanisms. Tear samples were collected from the eyes of 90 calves in 2004 in order to quantify immunoglobulins (commonly called antibodies).
The result of this analysis indicated that as the amount of Immunglobulin A in the tears increases, the likelihood of infection and the severity of infection decreased.
This information would suggest that properly fed, properly immunized cattle, with a strong immune system will be more resistant to pinkeye. 
Glenn Selk is an emeritus extension animal scientist for Oklahoma State University Extension. This originally appeared in the Cow/Calf Corner newsletter.
