What is equine eye disease?
Equine eye diseases/problems include conditions (heritable, age-related, immune mediated, or infectious) or post-traumatic injuries related to any structure of the eye, the eyelids, or surrounding tissue. Oftentimes, discomfort and/or a loss of vision can accompany these issues, subsequently interfering with your horse’s normal activities and impairing quality of life. Ocular issues can occur at any stage of a horse’s life. While certain breeds of horses have a higher predisposition to develop certain conditions, no breed is immune to the possibility of an ocular issue. For many equine conditions, early diagnosis and treatment are key for maintaining comfortable, cosmetic and visual eyes.
What are common equine eye conditions?
- Equine Recurrent Uveitis
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Eyelid/third eyelid tumors to include SCC
- Entropion in foals
- Sarcoid
- Melanoma
- Corneal stromal abscess
- Fungal keratopathy
- Corneal ulceration
- Traumatic injuries (i.e. of the eyelids and cornea)
When should I bring my horse to Eye Specialists for Animals for an evaluation?
Eye diseases can present in varying degrees of visible symptoms depending on the type of condition and severity of the issue. Common signs of an ocular problem include the following: squinting, excessive tearing/discharge, redness, swelling, cloudiness, or a loss of vision. If you notice any of these symptoms, please call our office immediately to schedule a consultation.
If your horse suffers an injury to the eye, we recommend immediate attention. Please call our office as soon as possible for an appointment.
At Eye Specialists for Animals, we provide expert knowledge in diagnosing and treating equine eye diseases and injuries. We strive to provide the highest level of ophthalmic medical care with an emphasis on compassion and client education. Each of our staff members is dedicated to providing personal attention to the unique needs and concerns of each individual pet owner.