Avondale Veterinary Group Avondale House Strathaven Rural Centre Strathaven Lanarkshire ML10 6SY Tel: 01357 520251

Common Eye Conditions in Horses

Superficial corneal ulcers Cause -Usually traumatic – eyelid disease, external trauma or foreign body

• Symptoms – Variable • Diagnosis -Fluorescein uptake in

affected region • Treatment – Seek Vet Advise.Rapidly

healing – should be smaller by 48h post-injury. Prophylactic antimicrobials

Non Healing Superficial Ulcers • Symptoms: As above. May have concurrent uveitis • Causes: Viral, bacterial, fungal

infection.Resistant bacterial infection.Under-run epithelial surface

• Diagnosis Fluorescein stain – multiple faint areas of uptake

• Cytology – Presence of bacteria, fungus, • Treatment

• Suitable topical antimicrobials • Atropine for horses with painful eyes due

to uveitis (primary or secondary) • Debride corneal surface with soaked

cotton bud or hub of scalpel blade

Deep Corneal Ulcers

• Symptoms -Stromal involvement . White halo around ulcer • Diagnosis -Fluorescein uptake pattern. Opthalmic Exam • Treatment -Topical Antimicrobials. Given via Subpalpebral Lavage System.

• Treat secondary uveitis with NSAIDs (topical or systemic), topical Atropine • Surgery indicated if Descemet’s membrane exposed

Chronic Ocular discharge

• Causes:Conjunctivitis. Foreign Body, Obstructed Nasolacrimal Duct. Ocular Neoplasia (incl 3rd eyelid tumours)

• Symptoms: ocular discharge of varying characteristics

• Diagnosis + Treatment -Sample for bacterial culture + sensitivity if any bacteria found. Flush nasolacrimal duct. Biopsy suspected mass if present. Thorough lavage + careful ophthalmic examination

Ocular Opacities

• Stromal Abscesses • Symptoms – white opacity in the

cornea • Diagnosis – Fluorescein stain yellow-

green + history of chronic ulcer/ocular problem

• Treatment- Swab for bacteria,culture/sensitivity. Debride + possibly a 3rd eyelid flap or pedicle graft

Cataracts • Cause: Congenital/Developmental (Morgan

horses). Secondary to Uveitis, trauma, glaucoma, neoplasia

• Diagnosis – Ophthalmic exam • Treatment – Depends on severity of loss of

vision phacoemulsification

Glaucoma • Cause – uveitis most common. Congenital,

uveitis, neoplasia, lens luxation • Symptoms/Diagnosis: Corneal oedema.

Increased intra-ocular pressure >30mmHg • Treatment – difficult. Medical,Surgical.

Corneal Oedema

• Symptom: Blue looking cornea • Treatment : Timolol + Dorzolamide

Lens Luxation • Cause – Rare, usually secondary to other ocular

defects • Symptoms – Luxation of lens, abnormal iris

position • Treatment – Surgical if causing horse discomfort

Foreign Bodies • Symptoms:Blepharospasm,

increased ocular discharge. Pain over eye

• Treatment • Removal of FB • Systemic and Topical

broad-spec antibiotics + NSAID

Ocular Tumours Sarcoids

• Cause: (likely) BPV • Symptoms: Variable, depends on type of

sarcoid • From flat + hairless (occult)

fibroblastic (fleshy mass that bleed easily)

• Diagnosis = Biopsy + histopathology • Note: biopsy may trigger a strong

expansion of lesion • Treatment:

• Ligation/Surgical/Laser Excision • Cryotherapy + 5-FluoroUracil • Local Radiotherapy • Local immunomodulation with BCG

vaccine • ‘Liverpool’ Cream aka AW4-LUDES

Cream = Knottenbelt Cream

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

• Breeds Predisposition • Appaloosa, Rocky Mountain Spotted

Horses, Clydesdale • Symptoms: tumours often found on

conjunctiva, 3rd eyelid, eyelids • Treatment = Combination of:

• Surgical Removal • Cryotherapy • Chemotherapy • Radiotherapy

Melanomas

• Common in Grey Horses • Symptoms: Slow growing nodules

in eyelid +/- eyelid margin • Treatment – usually benign and

not necessary • Surgical excision • Cisplatin emulsion