Equine Eye Care

Eyelid damage is common and prompt surgical repair is imperative to prevent a malfunctioning eyelid and further damage involving they eye itself.

Corneal ulcers are very common, usually caused by trauma, flies or foreign bodies such as grass seeds.  Such irritation can result in a break of the thin outer membrane of the cornea, allowing bacteria to enter and cause further damage. Corneal ulcers can be difficult to spot. Early signs include a weepy eye and mild pain. This may manifest as a slightly closed eyelid, which can be easily missed. The vet will usually check for ulceration by using a fluorescent dye to stain the surface of the eye to make any irregularities on the surface of the cornea more visible. The horse can then be treated according to the type of injury found.

Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) is another common eye problem and is sometimes called Moon Blindness or Night Blindness. It’s a chronic inflammatory disease involving the internal structures of the eye and is the most common cause of blindness in horses. Prompt diagnosis is very important for treatment to be successful.

Cataracts are often seen in horses. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil and can cause partial or complete blindness. Injury and ERU are common inciting causes of cataracts but they can also be congenital, particularly in some breeds such as the Morgan horse. Like people, older horses can develop mild cataracts too.

Check eyes daily

It’s good practice to check your horse’s eyes every day so that you can quickly spot any problems. It’s also a good idea to get your horse used to having the area around his eyes handled so that if any treatment is ever needed it will be easier for your vet and less distressing for your horse.

Signs to watch out for

Consistently watery eyesA closed or rapidly blinking eyeA slightly closed eye – check the angles of eyelashes from the front – are they horizontal and equal or is one slightly angled downwards ?SwellingRednessDischargeCloudiness, change of colour or marks on the corneaSensitivity to lightRubbing the eye

Always call your vet if your horse has an injury in or near an eye – you can never, ever be too careful.